Sergei Ryabkov, the deputy head of Russia’s foreign ministry, stressed that the relationship between Moscow and Washington remains unsettled and riddled with challenges. He shared these views during an interview with the newspaper News. The remarks underscore that both sides are not yet in a phase of constructive dialogue or cooperative steps, and that trust must be rebuilt through concrete actions rather than symbolic gestures.
Ryabkov highlighted a list of friction points that keep bilateral ties in a tense stasis. He pointed to the stalled resumption of inspections of nuclear facilities, a topic that has long served as a barometer for broader security dialogue. In his telling, practical issues such as the travel regime for inspectors, the exchange of detainees, and the verification protocols for COVID-19 and PCR testing contribute to an atmosphere of mutual suspicion rather than collaboration. He also noted the impact of sanctions on Russian entities and the broader pace of diplomatic staffing reductions on both sides, all of which feed a sense of impending friction rather than rapprochement.
According to Ryabkov, the relationship currently operates more as a corridor of signals rather than a pathway toward concrete solutions. He described the exchanges as largely mirroring positions without progressing toward substantive negotiations. The deputy minister warned that, without a shift toward real problem solving, the situation will continue to look problematic and difficult for both nations and the world at large.
He urged that all elements of the relationship be weighed, stressing that the current state is not a temporary phase but a consistent pattern that requires a deliberate recalibration. The emphasis was on moving beyond appearances and toward a framework that can yield tangible outcomes, rather than continuing to rely on rhetoric or unilateral steps. The sense conveyed was that the window for meaningful progress remains open, but only if both sides commit to a new floor for discussion and a shared understanding of security priorities.
Former U.S. assistant secretary of state Wendy Sherman offered a cautious perspective, expressing the hope that stability could be restored in the relations between the two countries. However, she also noted that such a turnaround is unlikely to occur in the near term. Her assessment reflects a broader expectation among many observers that any positive shift will require sustained effort, careful diplomacy, and time, rather than a quick fix or a change in tone alone. The conversation around reconciliation, in her view, hinges on enduring commitments to predictable behavior, verifiable measures, and consistent channels of communication that keep lines open even when disagreements persist.