MOSCOW – Russia’s most sensible diplomat said Wednesday that relations with the United States are now even worse than the Cold War due to a lack of mutual respect.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was in a position to normalize relations with Washington, but that the United States avoids posing as a “sovereign” while bringing together its allies who oppose Russia and China.
Lavrov said that if the United States has departed from a discussion of mutual respect based on a balance of interests, “we would live in situations of bloodless war or worse. “
“During the Cold War, tensions were high and difficult conditions of crisis arose, but there was also mutual respect,” Lavrov said in an interview with Russian state television. “I think there’s a deficit now. “
Earlier this month, Biden’s leadership imposed sanctions on Russia for meddled in the 2020 U. S. presidential election and for its involvement in SolarWind’s hacking of federal agencies, activities Moscow has denied.
The United States ordered the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats, targeted dozens of companies and individuals, and imposed new restrictions on Russia’s ability to borrow money. While ordering sanctions, US President Joe Biden also called for a tension reduction and opened the door to cooperation with Russia in some areas.
Russia temporarily retaliated by ordering 10 U. S. diplomats to leave, blacklisting 8 existing and former U. S. officials and adjusting the needs of U. S. embassy operations.
As a component of the restrictions, Russia has to prohibit the U. S. Embassy and its consulates from hiring Russian citizens and third-country nationals. Similar prohibitions would also be implemented for other nations designated as “hostile”.
Lavrov said Wednesday that a list of these countries would soon formalize the decision.
In an interview with a Russian state television presenter, Lavrov noted that Moscow had a “positive” attitude towards Biden’s proposal to hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but added that Russia still needed to analyze all facets of the initiative.
Lavrov said he will attend an assembly of high-level Arctic diplomats in Iceland next month and would be in a position to meet with U. S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken if he also joins the assembly.
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