Lavrov: Despite Dialogue, No Real Progress in US-Russia Relations Post-Election
Current State of US-Russia Relations After the 2024 Election
Lavrov's Assessment of Bilateral Relations
MOSCOW, May 13 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that many positive things were being said about the enormous potential of U.S.-Russia relations, but that in reality "nothing is happening".
Trump's Role in Renewing Dialogue
After winning the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump re-established U.S. dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has repeatedly promised to end the war in Ukraine though peace has so far proven elusive.
Promises Versus Reality
Lavrov said that "good words" about cooperation on technology, energy and other projects had so far come to nothing, but that Moscow appreciated Trump's initiation of dialogue with Moscow.
Comparison with Previous US Administration
Continuity in Diplomatic Engagement
"However, nothing is happening in real life," Lavrov, who has served as Russia's foreign minister since 2004, told RT India in English, according to a transcript supplied by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Similarities with Biden Era
Lavrov added that the dialogue with Moscow that did occur was in the same vein as that under former U.S. President Joe Biden: "Aside from this regular dialogue - which is normal in relations between people and countries - everything else follows the pattern initiated by President Biden," Lavrov said.
Sanctions and Economic Measures
"The sanctions imposed under him have remained in force. Moreover, the Trump administration has adopted its own initiatives in order to punish Russia’s economy."
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy Papachristou and Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
