Normalization of relations between Russia and the United States can take a quick and successful course if the political will of Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is maintained, said Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov in an interview with the Moscow Kremlin broadcast, excerpts of which were published by journalist Pavel Sarubin on Sunday morning in advance.
In the published excerpt of the interview, recorded on Wednesday of this week, the Russian President’s press spokesman said:
“It’s a long way to go, as the entire complex of bilateral relations has suffered a great deal of damage. But if the political will of the two heads of state, President Putin and President Trump, is maintained, this path can be taken quickly and successfully.”
The reporter of Rossija 1, a Russian TV channel, showed enthusiasm in her question, describing the “breath-taking pace” of the improvement in Russian-American relations. Peskov tended to agree with her, stating that the new US administration is rapidly changing all external political configurations.
“We are supporting a UN General Assembly resolution with a completely balanced language on the Ukraine crisis. This would have been hard to imagine a short while ago” Peskow said.
However, the restoration of cooperation between Russian and American companies is a long-term perspective, according to Peskov. White House officials said that, first, a solution for Ukraine needs to be found and only then can economic issues be addressed. It is necessary to outline the themes of economic relations with the United States, but one should not expect quick results.
On February 18, high-level Russian-American talks took place in Riyadh, during which the parties agreed to create the conditions for the resumption of cooperation, lift restrictions on the work of embassies and launch the process of solving the situation in Ukraine.
On Thursday, Russian and US delegations met in Istanbul to agree on steps to finance the embassy’s operations and discuss the possibility of restoring direct flight connections. During these talks, the United States handed over a note with an agrément for the appointment of Alexander Dartschijew as the new Russian ambassador. The appointment of the new ambassador was blocked by the previous US administration for months.