Russia confirmed that its relations with the United States have not witnessed any actual transformation on the ground, despite the return of channels of communication between the two countries, pointing to the continuation of stifling sanctions and fundamental differences regarding the war in Ukraine, in parallel with new efforts to revive the negotiating track.
In statements he made in the American city of Atlanta after his participation in the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow “has not witnessed, in practice, any real progress” in the course of its relations with Washington so far.
Lavrov warned against exaggerating the US administration’s temporary decision to ease some restrictions to allow the purchase of Russian diesel fuel, stressing that “there should be no illusions about the diesel deal,” and stressing that the basic outstanding issues have not stagnated.
The Russian diplomat explained that a large part of the sanctions imposed since the era of the previous US administration headed by Joe Biden are still in effect under the administration of President Donald Trump, in addition to the imposition of additional restrictions that affected major Russian companies such as “Lukoil” and “Rosneft.”
Last October, the Trump administration eased some restrictions imposed on Russian fuel exports, justifying the move by its desire to achieve stability in energy markets and provide an additional opportunity for diplomatic efforts with Moscow.
Regarding the Ukrainian war, Lavrov pointed out that the negotiating positions have become specific and clear, amid preparations being made by the parties to the crisis – Russia, Ukraine and the United States – to resume talks at the technical level in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, during the first half of November. This step had previously been announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who confirmed the agreement to hold the anticipated round while leaving the door open for high-level political meetings at a later stage.
On the sidelines of the G20 meetings, Lavrov held a short meeting with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, describing it as “satisfactory,” and praising what he sensed of the Trump administration’s readiness to communicate with Moscow in a way that exceeds the interaction of other Western governments.
However, the Russian Foreign Minister added by emphasizing that merely opening the door to dialogue does not mean settling differences, especially in light of the continued military support provided by Washington to Kiev, and various Western sanctions, reiterating the stability of the Russian position regarding the terms of a comprehensive settlement in Ukraine.
In addition, the G20 meeting witnessed clear diplomatic tensions between the Russian delegation and a number of European capitals. The traditional group photo was canceled after European ministers objected to standing side by side with Lavrov.
Lavrov criticized this behavior, describing it as “image diplomacy,” and considering that some European officials pay exaggerated attention to the figures standing next to them in the pictures at the expense of serious engagement in political dialogue. It is noteworthy that European objections prompted the organizer to cancel the group photo to avoid it becoming an additional source of tension within the meeting.
These developments and statements come at a time when the Trump administration maintains open channels of communication with Moscow, in exchange for pressure exerted by European and Ukrainian parties to push for tightening sanctions and doubling support for Kiev.
Between the repercussions of the diesel deal, the intensity of direct contacts, and the ongoing arrangements for the Abu Dhabi Round, Russian-American relations stand before a new testing phase, amid Russian insistence that political openness has not yet resulted in changing the essence of the existing differences between the two countries.
