Moscow looks for positive signals in Trump's speech to Congress
By Kamila Aliyeva
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that relations with the United States were at their lowest ebb since the Cold War, but hoped they could improve under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ryabkov, addressing the Parliament on February 28, said Russia will analyze Trump's debut address to Congress later on Tuesday for signs of any change in the U.S. stance.
"It will be important to analyze those signals and approaches which will be a part of Trump's first appearance as the head of a superpower," the RIA news agency quoted Ryabkov as saying.
"It would be desirable to believe that changes in Washington will create a window of opportunity for an improvement of a dialogue between our countries."
Ryabkov further said that Russia had not discussed with Washington the sanctions imposed against the country, but said it would be easier for to work with the United States on the Syria crisis if they were lifted.
"We did not discuss and we do not discuss criteria for the lifting of sanctions. Restrictions in a number of areas are of course affecting us, but no more than the damage they cause to American exports," Itar TASS quoted Ryabkov as saying.
Relations between the two nuclear powers are strained over a number of issues, including Ukraine, the war in Syria, and relations with Iran.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken of his desire to restore the ties with Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently said he was open to the idea of meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in Slovenia.
The Russian leader said Moscow is waiting for the U.S. administration to prepare for talks on improved Russia-U.S. ties. He added that Moscow and Washington could jointly tackle the terror threat and other global challenges.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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