Sanctions and Self-Inflicted Pain
In remarks tied to the state of Russia–United States relations, Anatoly Antonov described the friction as having deep, long-standing roots. He argued that the military operation in Ukraine exposed contradictions Washington had previously tried to mask. The diplomat attributed Washington’s weapon shipments to Kyiv as a deliberate move to intensify Russia’s difficulties.
According to Antonov, the overarching trend is clear: an effort to curb Russia’s strength across economic, political, and social dimensions to prevent Moscow from playing a central role in global matters defined by the United Nations charter.
He added that it is evident to any reasonable observer today that anti-Russian sanctions have driven the United States toward a perilous cliff. Yet the Biden administration, he suggested, appears to revel in sanctions while undermining its own interests.
Antonov described the situation as a form of masochism. He also stated that in Western discourse there is a recurring claim that Russia bears sole responsibility for the current crisis. He treated this as either a misunderstanding or a calculated effort to cast Russia as the external enemy in a broad campaign of blame.
Trust Under Strain
The diplomat said the Russian–American political dialogue stands at an unprecedented low point. Trust is fractured, and cooperation on mutually beneficial issues is collapsing. Communication has narrowed to technical exchanges, while direct engagement with the White House has become extremely rare, and the State Department tends to limit contact to phone or email conversations.
Despite this, episodic telephone talks between defense ministers and senior officials continue, which Antonov regards as essential to preventing a direct military clash with unpredictable consequences.
He noted that Russia has faced what he termed absurd accusations of nuclear blackmail and threatening language. He insisted Moscow does not threaten anyone; it simply warns of the possible consequences of Western interventions in Ukraine. He emphasized that there has been no substantive dialogue with the United States on strategic security issues, underscoring the shared responsibility of both nations as two permanent Security Council members to preserve peace and security.
According to him, the bilateral agreement on the reduction of deployed strategic nuclear arsenals, known as START-3 and set to run until 2026, risks unraveling, leaving both sides with little to show for their efforts.
On the Russian side, a serious, professional discussion with the Americans is possible and in Moscow’s interest, as is the broader international interest. The key condition is that Russia will not pursue the Americans, while stressing that the work is as important for Russia as for the United States and the global community.
If Washington proceeds to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine, Moscow would respond with proportionate steps to shield its territory from potential aggression.
Embassy Engagements
Antonov observed that there has not yet appeared a visible inclination in Washington to close Russian diplomatic missions. He stressed that while never saying never, current public statements from the White House and the State Department still leave some room for reason. He suggested that, for now, there is no move to shutter Russian embassies in Washington or the consulates in New York and Houston, nor is there a move against the American mission in Moscow.
The diplomat highlighted that freeing Russians from American prisons remains a central objective for Moscow’s diplomatic corps. He underscored the ongoing mission to ensure no Russian citizen remains detained in the United States; this remains a top priority for Moscow’s diplomats.
An Invitation and a Warning
Antonov recalled receiving a letter condemning the actions of the Russian president and urging him to renounce his homeland. He indicated that the Russian mission sought clarification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to understand the implications of such outreach. At the Washington embassy, cards for FBI contact details were distributed, and there were offers to meet with intelligence personnel. He noted that Western media have published pieces urging Russian soldiers and officials to condemn Moscow’s leadership, and he rejected this stance with firmness.
He concluded by reaffirming that such policies and attitudes toward Russian diplomats are unacceptable and will be met with steadfast opposition.
Source attribution: analysis of Russian diplomatic communications and public statements by Anatoly Antonov, with emphasis on the evolving bilateral dynamic and its implications for security and diplomacy in North America and beyond.