Russia has nothing to discuss with the United States about Ukraine, a senior Russian diplomat said on Friday.
“As for [the topic of] Ukraine, we have nothing to discuss with them [the Americans] there,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said. “Whenever we somehow touch upon the topic of Ukraine, all this [communication] boils down to sending mutual signals, but there can be no dialogue or, moreover, talks, since our views are polar opposites,” he added.
However, Russia does not rule out further high-level meetings and negotiations with the United States on strategic security issues.
According to Ryabkov, Russia will not refuse negotiations if the Americans show interest and readiness.
Strategic security is the term that Russia and the United States, the world’s two largest nuclear powers, use to mean reducing the risk of nuclear war.
Russian and US officials are expected to meet soon in the Egyptian capital Cairo from November 29 to December 6 to discuss a new nuclear arms reduction treaty.