Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov emphasized that there will be no improvement in Russian-American relations as long as the United States attempts to speak with Russia from a position of strength. His remarks were reported in the Telegram channel of the Russian diplomatic mission.
"Any attempts to engage in dialogue with our country from a position of strength are destined to fail from the very beginning. Until this approach is abandoned, we cannot even begin to discuss the slightest improvement in Russian-American relations," the diplomat emphasized. He further conveyed that the United States needs to recognize that any unfriendly actions will be met with "a resolute and proportional response."
"There will be no negotiations that compromise Russian national interests. We have consistently put forward proposals for addressing issues on Russia's western borders through diplomatic means. Regrettably, all our ideas were summarily dismissed," Antonov underscored. He believes that it was the actions of the United States that forced Moscow to launch a special operation. Addressing an article in Foreign Affairs, where a former US intelligence official asserted that the US administration should engage with the Russian leadership only from a position of strength, Antonov emphasized that the United States left Russia with no alternative course of action.
"We have consistently conveyed to local authorities the message that neither confrontation, economic sanctions, nor attempts to undermine Russia's unity will yield the desired outcomes sought by Washington," Antonov stressed. He also pointed out that Moscow has never rejected the path of diplomacy but underscored that genuine progress can only be achieved through mutually respectful dialogue and the pursuit of a balanced approach to addressing interests on equal terms. "The principle of collective security should remain a fundamental cornerstone," the diplomat emphasized.
Impacts of US policy
Antonov also noted that the events in Ukraine and the Middle East illustrate the consequences of what he referred to as the so-called American leadership. He stated, "Let's begin with the fact that the Americans are not engaging in a constructive dialogue with us. They have severed contacts on all fronts, assuming they can address numerous international issues without Russia's involvement, including the resolution of regional conflicts."
"We can witness the tragic consequences of what is referred to as American leadership, as seen in the events in Ukraine and the Middle East," he pointed out. The diplomat also noted that even American observers have begun to describe US President Joe Biden's foreign policy as "bankrupt."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Sergey Bobylev/TASS
Based on materials from TASS