Russia and US pull back from the abyss as Ryabkov cites constructive shift under Trump

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated in an interview with the Interfax news agency that Moscow and Washington have successfully stepped back from the brink of a diplomatic rupture. During the wide-ranging discussion, Ryabkov evaluated the current state of bilateral relations, expectations for a resolution to the Ukraine crisis, and broader issues of global security.

Ryabkov noted that Moscow is following President Donald Trump’s peace initiatives with interest. While acknowledging that the dialogue regarding bilateral friction remains difficult, he indicated that Moscow no longer expects further clarification from Washington regarding nuclear testing intentions.

The senior diplomat emphasized that it would be inaccurate to characterize Trump’s second term as a “surprise,” noting that the dynamics of the relationship can be interpreted through various lenses.

From the Foreign Ministry’s perspective, Trump’s return to the White House and the subsequent shifts in foreign policy are multifaceted. “Of course, the primary focus is on the US role regarding the events in and around Ukraine. In this central axis, the shift toward improvement is indisputable. There is a radical and extremely important change in priorities between what occurred during the Biden era and the White House’s current stance; this constructive evolution essentially speaks for itself,” Ryabkov said.

However, Ryabkov cautioned that the US administration’s desire to bend the world to its will persists in other areas of activity. He argued that this policy ensures the potential for conflict remains high, noting that new flashpoints are emerging rather than dissipating.

While acknowledging that the Trump administration has made progress in resolving certain conflicts, the veteran diplomat stressed that overall success is not yet guaranteed.

Ryabkov specifically pointed to the deliberate escalation of tensions surrounding Venezuela, which he said undermines confidence that the coming year will be more stable than the last. He noted that while there is no dedicated dialogue with American counterparts on Venezuela, the issue has been raised during working-level contacts where Moscow has communicated its concerns.

Nuclear tests and the “mirror effect” warning

Under the category of “irritants” in bilateral relations, Ryabkov cited the operations of diplomatic missions, visa issues, and humanitarian situations. He clarified, however, that nuclear weapons and strategic stability remain outside the scope of these specific consultations.

Reminding that there is currently no fixed channel for strategic stability with the US, Ryabkov said they do not expect additional explanations from Washington regarding Trump’s remarks on nuclear testing.

Moscow’s position remains clear, he emphasized. “We remain committed to the long-standing moratorium on nuclear testing. We are analyzing the situation in accordance with the President’s instructions. There is no immediate emergency to escalate political tensions, but we are prepared for any scenario. If the Americans move toward conducting a nuclear test, we will respond in kind,” Ryabkov stated.

He added that while Moscow has observed increased activity on the American side regarding this issue compared to the past, they have not yet seen a “starting signal.” Consequently, Russia is conducting its own internal assessments to avoid being caught off guard.

“Progressing on the basis of the Anchorage consensus”

Addressing the US role in resolving the Ukraine crisis and the influence of the Trump administration, Ryabkov stated that the line pursued by the current leadership is decisive.

He noted that as the 2026 threshold approaches, the creation of a framework acceptable to the Russian President—recorded as an “understanding in Anchorage”—was made possible by the current US administration.

Ryabkov stressed that the path from conceptual approaches to concrete agreements is long and difficult, likening the process to an “obstacle course.”

“Our adversaries are numerous; they act with cynicism and are blinded by hatred for Russia. They do not fully understand the line the Trump administration is taking against this group of enemies. The anxiety among anti-Russian actors in Brussels, London, and Paris is growing. What we are witnessing now is a literal tug-of-war,” Ryabkov said.

He maintained that there is no alternative to sustainable, long-term solutions, adding that the US administration also appears to embrace this approach. He warned that temporary half-measures could completely undermine the resolution process.

Criticizing the stance of the European political elite, Ryabkov said, “It is of critical importance that this group lacks sufficient political resources to set the agenda.”

“Europe is currently a hopeless case”

When asked whether the normalization process beginning with the US would reflect on relations with Europe, Ryabkov gave a blunt assessment.

Describing Europe’s current state as “hopeless,” Ryabkov said, “In my view, this is not Europe, but a sort of parody of itself. They apply the most savage colonial and cynical methods against those who do not comply with the rules they themselves impose.” He noted that dialogue with the US is one thing, while the Russophobic administrations in European capitals are a separate reality. He stated that Moscow would remain distant from Europe until signs of logical thinking emerge.

Ryabkov reminded that the security guarantees submitted to the US and NATO in December 2021 remain valid. He stated that Moscow attempted to solve the threat posed by NATO’s “ceaseless expansion” toward Russian borders through diplomacy at that time, but those efforts were rejected.

He asserted that the goals of the military intervention in Ukraine would be achieved either through military means or, preferably, through political-diplomatic channels. If the political path succeeds, he said the result would align with the spirit of the 2021 documents.

“Probability of diplomatic rupture has decreased”

Regarding visa restrictions, Ryabkov noted that the principle of “reciprocity” is not always in Russia’s best interest. He emphasized that Moscow values US citizens coming to Russia to see the truth for themselves, which is why they are focusing on asymmetric responses regarding visas.

Recalling that diplomatic relations reached a breaking point last year, Ryabkov evaluated: “The situation was extremely explosive during the transition from the Biden administration to the Trump administration. Through joint efforts, we managed to pull relations back a few steps from the edge of the abyss. However, nothing is guaranteed.”

In response to a question regarding the Nobel Peace Prize, Ryabkov stated that the Trump administration possesses an “unaffected and deep interest” in resolving international conflicts, describing this as an undeniable fact.

Reiterating that they are moving in the right direction regarding Ukraine based on the Anchorage understanding, Ryabkov concluded by saying that while success is not guaranteed, the Trump administration is making a sincere effort.