Putin does not expect a change in Russia’s relations with the United States. Serguei Riabkov, in charge of relations with Washington, does not expect “anything good” from Biden.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he did not expect any change in relations with the United States with the arrival of Joe Biden in the United States in January, in a context of increased bilateral tensions.
“Regarding the question of the change in the leadership of the United States and the possibility of making it more difficult for us, I do not believe it, I believe it will be as always,” he declared at a meeting with Russian officials, calling for the further development of economic and military capabilities of Russia to face “the difficulties and the threats”.
This Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, in charge of relations with Washington, Serguei Riabkov, had assured that he did not expect “anything good” from the future American President, considering that many of those around him “made a career in russophobia, spilling gall ”over his country.
Riabkov considered that “the policy of the United States towards Russia is deeply hostile”, arguing that Moscow should have only a “selective dialogue ” with Washington, aiming only at “matters of interest to Russia”.
A few hours earlier, Joe Biden had promised to respond to the gigantic cyber attack that targeted the United States and is attributed to Russia
“When informed of the extent of the damage and the identity of those responsible, they can be sure that we will respond,” he threatened.
Biden also criticized Donald Trump for downplaying Russia’s alleged role, accusing the outgoing president of inaction.
Washington has applied multiple sanctions against Russia, mainly due to hacking and accusations of interference in the 2016 presidential election. Biden’s Democratic camp believes Moscow has done everything to get Trump elected and has accused some of its close collusion with the Russians.
Also on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov promised a “response” to recent US measures targeting Russian as well as Chinese companies.
The head of Russian diplomacy underlined that, in addition to a “symmetric” response, Moscow will draw “additional conclusions” about the set of bilateral relations.
Russian and American diplomats have several issues to resolve once the new administration settles in the White House.
At the top of the list is the possible extension of the New Start disarmament treaty, the last major agreement that governs part of the nuclear arsenals of geopolitical rivals and which expires in February.
