Tensions continue to escalate.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov recently warned that U.S.-Russia relations are dangerously close to a significant breakdown. This stark warning comes as former President Donald Trump claimed that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a discussion over the weekend. However, the Kremlin has yet to confirm this conversation, casting doubt on the nature of the interaction.
In a news briefing in Moscow, Ryabkov expressed his concerns that tensions between the U.S. and Russia are at a boiling point, especially regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. He made it clear that Russia’s stance remains firm: the conflict will not end until Ukraine gives up its aspirations of joining NATO and relinquishes control over territories currently held by Russian forces.
While Trump recently indicated on Air Force One that the U.S. was making progress in talks to resolve the Ukraine conflict, he suggested that his communication with Putin could play a key role in bringing about peace. This was the first reported interaction between a sitting U.S. president and Putin since 2022. Trump expressed optimism, stating, “I look forward to having many more discussions. We must work towards ending that war.”
However, Ryabkov’s comments suggest that Russia is taking a hardline approach toward American diplomacy. He noted that the U.S. has officially labeled Russia as a “major adversary,” which he believes severely hampers any meaningful dialogue. Despite Trump’s interest in reopening talks with Russia, Ryabkov emphasized that no high-level negotiations have been agreed upon.
In his remarks, Ryabkov also referred to President Putin’s June speech, where he sharply criticized the U.S. for maintaining what he described as an “imperial status” driven by a misguided belief in its own superiority. Ryabkov stated that any political resolution to the crisis would require the U.S., Britain, and other nations to understand this perspective. He stressed that the sooner they do, the closer they will come to a solution that benefits all parties involved.
The Kremlin’s reluctance to confirm the Trump-Putin conversation, as mentioned by spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, adds another layer of uncertainty to an already fragile diplomatic relationship. For now, the fate of U.S.-Russia relations remains unclear, with much riding on how both sides choose to navigate this critical moment in history.