U.S. Officials Convey to Russian Ambassador That Americans Have More Important Matters Than Listening to Their Opinion, Says Gireenko

Meetings between Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov and representatives of the U.S. State Department are rare. This was stated by Igor Gireenko, the press secretary of the Russian diplomatic mission. The information was reported by Interfax.

“While confirming the fact of the Russian ambassador’s communications that took place, he forgets that such contacts are rare,” Gireenko said in a statement published on the embassy's telegram channel.

He pointed out that Antonov is often either rejected by the heads of the American foreign policy department or redirected to meet with lower-level officials.

“There have been cases when, during a meeting, the ambassador has even been interrupted and made to understand that Americans have more important things to do than to hear Russia’s opinion,” the spokesperson stated.

According to him, the requests from the Russian ambassador remain unanswered, or responses come several years later.

“A blatant example of local officials’ indifference is that for almost two years, after Antonov’s repeated calls, Washington has dragged its feet on the process of the agreement between Russia and the U.S. regarding the conversion of nuclear material signed on March 24, 1999, under various pretexts,” Gireenko added. “It is evident that the situation needs correction. This is in the interest of both parties.”

Earlier, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price reported that the Russian ambassador had personal meetings with State Department representatives. “Ambassador Antonov has recently had contacts, including face-to-face, with relevant representatives of the State Department,” Price said in a press briefing.

He noted that the channels of communication between Washington and Moscow remain open.

“This is extremely important for us,” Price added.