Russia plans new talks with US on bilateral disputes

Russia and the United States plan to hold a new round of consultations aimed at resolving longstanding disputes in their bilateral relationship, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Wednesday. “I can confirm that such plans exist. There’s nothing to announce because there are no specific deadlines, but it’s understood they will continue,” Ryabkov told Izvestia at the Primakov Readings forum. He expected the consultations to take place by the end of summer, though he acknowledged difficulties in eliminating “mutual irritants.”

Ukraine linkage and strategic stability

Ryabkov argued that the Trump administration is increasingly linking progress on bilateral issues to efforts to reach a settlement of the war in Ukraine. “This is a difference from where the Trump administration started in terms of dialogue with us, and it certainly makes any discussions more difficult,” he said. He also pointed to the lack of dialogue on strategic stability, saying Moscow needs to see “significant and tangible improvements” in Washington’s policy, followed by tangible actions. “So far, we have seen nothing of the sort,” he added.

Seized properties and air links

Ryabkov cited a lack of progress on Russia’s demands for the return of diplomatic properties seized by the United States and the restoration of direct air links between the two countries. The planned consultations come amid broader US-Russia tensions over Ukraine, sanctions, and nuclear arms control.