ISTANBUL

Russia has no hidden agenda in its stance on the Ukraine conflict, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Ryabkov dismissed any notion of a concealed strategy, stressing that Russia’s position is based on its national interests.

“There is no double meaning, no hidden agenda, and no attempt to play to the public. Our position is deeply rooted in our national interests, which we cannot betray. We must defend them,” he said.

Ryabkov said Russia repeatedly voiced that Moscow-Washington ties are "balancing on the brink of a rupture," and that the administration under former President Joe Biden "bet on a hybrid war" with the goal of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia.

He also commented on US President Donald Trump’s team, saying that despite contradictions in their statements, they at least show interest in resuming dialogue with Russia.

“We are ready for dialogue, as we have stated repeatedly, including discussions on a settlement in Ukraine. But this can only happen on an equal and mutually acceptable basis,” he added.

The deputy minister emphasized the need to recognize the realities on the ground and address the root causes of the crisis for any resolution.

“We have previously mentioned that there is at least a small window of opportunity for normalizing Russia-US relations under the Trump administration. Whether the US seizes this opportunity depends entirely on them,” he said.

Ryabkov also warned against the use of ultimatums and aggressive rhetoric in negotiations with Russia.
“The language of ultimatums, provocative statements, and attempts to make us accept unrealistic demands in exchange for supposed favors will not work in relations and dialogue with Russia,” he said.

New START Treaty

Ryabkov also commented on the situation surrounding the New START Treaty between Russia and the US, saying the situation around the possible extension of the deal "does not look promising."

Reminding the US' position in this regard during Trump's first term as president, he said that Washington wanted talks on the matter to be held in a trilateral format, with China's participation.

He said that Moscow, in turn, offered to hold five-way talks with the involvement of France and the UK.

The deputy foreign minister went on to say that there is much to discuss on this topic, adding: “We still have to figure out what the essence of Washington's policy is in this area.”

Signed in 2010 and extended in 2021 for another five years, the New START Treaty aims to control and reduce strategic nuclear forces used by the US and Russia.

In February 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia suspended its participation in the treaty, which is set to expire in February 2026.