Russia has positively assessed the words of US President Joe Biden about his intention to avoid escalating relations with Russia. This was announced on Thursday, April 29, by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova.
“We, of course, welcome the once again declared intention to avoid escalation with Russia, to cooperate, as it was indicated,“ when it is in our common interests, ”Zakharova said.
According to her, the speech of the American president with the message to the Congress leaves an ambiguous impression. So, if the United States is really inclined to dialogue with Russia, then they must prove it by deeds, not rhetoric, concluded the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The day before, Biden, during his first speech before the US Congress, said that the United States does not seek to escalate Russian-American relations. The head of state also specified that he responded directly and proportionally to the alleged “Russian interference in the elections.” At the same time, he stressed that the United States and Russia can cooperate in the event of their mutual interests.
Earlier, on April 13, a telephone conversation took place between Putin and Biden at the initiative of the American side. The head of the White House invited the Russian leader to hold a meeting to discuss all issues at the highest level.
On April 25, Assistant to the President of Russia Yuri Ushakov said that the meeting between the heads of state could take place in June, there are even possible dates.
At the same time, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken clarified that we are talking about the coming weeks. He noted that a dialogue between Putin and Biden is possible on a number of issues, including strategic stability. However, according to him, for this the Russian authorities should refrain from “escalation”.
On the same day, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, said that the idea of a meeting between Putin and Biden requires deep analysis.