Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: Regardless of whether the Russian and US presidents will meet, they need to improve relations between the two countries

　　China News Agency, Moscow, May 18-Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said in an interview with Russian media on the 18th that whether the Russian and US presidents hold talks, work needs to be done to improve the relations between the two countries.

　　Ryabukov said that he is currently studying the issues related to the meeting between the two presidents and has not yet reached a consensus on the time and place.

The Russian side needs to analyze how the US side views this meeting.

If the two sides will meet to reach an agreement, then the meeting place will be in the capital of a European country.

　　Ryabkov said that Russia calls on the United States to exercise restraint and not add problems to the dialogue, and at the same time urges the United States not to put pressure on Russia, otherwise it will make the United States farther and farther away from its goals.

　　Ryabukov said that Russia has seen many correct signals from the United States and heard many remarks from the United States. For example, the United States mentioned that it attaches importance to the predictability and stability of the relations between the two countries. Pragmatic dialogue, etc.

These are consistent with Russia's position.

　　Ryabkov said that if the United States takes practical measures to improve Russia-US relations, then Russia can consider lifting sanctions against the United States.

But so far, Russia has not received a request from the United States to remove the United States from the list of countries that are not friendly to Russia.

The list of countries that are not friendly to Russia can be expanded, but Russia does not want the list to be expanded indefinitely.

　　U.S.-Russian relations have continued to be tense in recent years.

Since the Biden administration came to power, the two sides have achieved limited cooperation in the field of arms control. However, there are obvious differences and intensified confrontation on issues such as Ukraine, cyber security, human rights, and election interference.

In May of this year, the Russian government announced that it would include the United States and the Czech Republic on the list of countries that are not friendly to Russia.

　　Although Russia-US relations have deteriorated, the leaders of the two sides are willing to continue dialogue.

In March of this year, Putin proposed an online open dialogue with Biden. Biden expressed his belief that he would have a talk with Putin "at a certain moment."

On April 13, Biden proposed to hold a summit with Putin in a third country to discuss bilateral relations during the call with Putin.

Since then, Ushakov, assistant to the Russian president, said that Putin and Biden may meet in June.

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