Moscow Could Resume Security Dialogue with Washington If US Is Ready, Russia Says
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Moscow could resume a security dialogue with the US if Washington is ready to do so, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated.
He added that Russia is also prepared to discuss the issue of the New START treaty, which had been put on hold as well.
At the same time, Ryabkov said that Moscow's propositions for a security dialogue have changed since the last time it was on the agenda.
"I would not say that (earlier Russian proposals on security guarantees), remain in force. The (security) landscape has completely changed and now the situation is radically different", Ryabkov said, Sputnik reported.
The deputy minister added that Russia will not make any concessions to the US in matters of strategic stability. He also warned Washington against any reckless steps in this area.
The diplomat further cautioned the West against "mindlessly pumping weapons" into Ukraine. He stressed that it is a dangerous move and that convoys carrying these weapons will be legitimate targets for the Russian military.
The deputy foreign minister stated that right now the US is waging economic war against Russia. He separately lambasted a decision by western countries to close their airspace to Russian aircraft as "illegal". Ryabkov added that Moscow has already prepared lists of personal counter sanctions against western countries and that they will be revealed soon.
Ryabkov underscored that the West would have eventually found a pretext for new anti-Russian sanctions even without Moscow launching a "special operation" in Ukraine.
"We know that America can pull any trick at any moment. We have been preparing for this situation (with sanctions). They are irrelevant to the special military operation, they are not connected to it. Russia is like a thorn in Washington's side, that's the point. We understand this," Ryabkov said.