U.S. – Russian Talks To Ease Diplomatic Tensions Have Collapsed

USA World

U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland leaves the Russian Foreign Ministry after her meeting with the deputy foreign minister in Moscow on October 12.  

RFE: Russians Signal ‘Little Progress’ In Talks With Top U.S. Official 

Russian officials have signaled little progress in high-level talks with a senior visiting U.S. State Department official, saying a dispute over embassy staffing and other matters remains unresolved. 

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying that his talks with Victoria Nuland, a No. 3 official at the State Department, were useful, but he warned of possible worsening. 

 “The Americans are not heeding our logic or our demands,” Ryabkov was quoted by RIA Novosti and TASS as saying. “At the same time, the talks were useful.”  

Read more ….  

WNU Editor: Cannot say that I am surprised to see these talks collapse. The Kremlin views Victoria Nuland as the architect that fractured and plunged Ukraine into war in 2014. 

From the Kremlin’s perspective Victoria Nuland was the main person in the Obama administration responsible for undermining Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych’s government that led to the Euromaiden protests, the overthrow of Yanukovych’s government, the imposition of draconian anti-Russian language and cultural restrictions, measures that quickly led to the revolt in Russian-dominated eastern Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea by Russia, and a war that shows no signs of ending. 

What does not help is that Victoria Nuland herself bragged about her involvement to undermine Ukraine’s government in 2014 (see video here). 

Bottom line. 

The Kremlin sees the arrival of Nuland today as a signal that Washington has no interest in alleviating tensions, and the collapse of today’s talks only confirms that belief. 

As for Victoria Nuland’s real reason to be in Moscow …. getting Moscow’s support to the establishment of US bases on the border of Afghanistan and flights over Russia to support these bases …. that deal is all but dead …. Russia Says ‘Unacceptable’ for U.S. to Maintain Military in Central Asia After Afghanistan (Newsweek). 

More News On Today’s U.S. – Russia Talks  

‘The Americans aren’t listening to us,’ Russia says as major Moscow talks between Biden’s envoy and Kremlin’s diplomats break down — RT
 

Russia Warns of ‘New Aggravations’ in U.S. Ties — AFP
 

Russia: No progress on diplomatic missions during talks with US — The Hill