Breakdown of Diplomatic Relations Between the US and Russia Not Excluded, Ryabkov Says

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Ryabkov, has not excluded the possibility of a breakdown in diplomatic relations between Moscow and Washington. He made this statement in an interview with Vladimir Derkachov, the editor-in-chief of RTVI.

“It all depends on the upcoming elections in Washington. I do not rule anything out. But this, of course, is not our path and not our step... It is in our interest not to sever diplomatic relations with the US. Communication is necessary, dialogue is necessary. If at some point the Americans themselves decide that they do not need this, then, probably, the matter will end with a breakdown,” Ryabkov said.

According to the Deputy Minister, “the level of Russophobia in the United States is absolutely unprecedented at all levels of government and in major media.” He added, “But we are working calmly, methodically, coldly, without emotions. This is probably the only way to work with such a ‘client’.”

On November 14, Sergey Narishkin, the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), met with William Burns, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in Ankara. According to Ryabkov, the meeting took place at the initiative of the American side.