Russia warns it may downgrade or cut ties with the US

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (Photo: Tass).

Tass reported on November 9 that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned that US moves could force Moscow to downgrade diplomatic relations or even sever ties.

"The two sides are really experiencing a serious crisis in relations, something we have never seen before. The two countries need to correct and be careful with their steps to prevent further escalation," he said.

"The Russian leadership encourages the Foreign Ministry and other government agencies to act in this direction. However, we have seen the Americans take a series of irresponsible and escalatory steps," he accused.

“That is why if we look at Washington's current behavior from this perspective, I do not exclude any scenario. Diplomatic relations may be downgraded; and the severance of diplomatic relations is also possible,” Deputy Minister Ryabkov warned.

However, he stressed that Russia has no immediate plans to start cutting diplomatic ties with the US. "We believe that diplomatic relations are an element of international affairs that should be taken care of because otherwise we would lose civilized channels of communication to send messages to each other," he said.

November 16 will mark 90 years since the Soviet Union and the United States established diplomatic relations, he said.

"Our relations have gone through different stages, even a period of alliance in the fight against fascism. Then there was the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the period of détente. We have seen a lot," the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister noted.

He also affirmed that Russia will always respond to any challenges and provocations from the US. Mr. Ryabkov emphasized: "I think the Americans now know us and watch how we firmly and consistently protect our interests in all areas."

Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that relations between the country and the US were at a level below zero.

Russia advises citizens to avoid traveling to the US

Russians considering trips to the United States should think again, Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said on November 10, accusing the US government of increasing the arrest of Russian citizens on the grounds of trade violations.

The United States has closed its consulates in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok, while the embassy in Moscow has stopped issuing visas to Russians. More than 100 Russians are serving sentences in the United States, Moscow’s ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, said in April.

“The arrests of Russian citizens have become more frequent recently, on the grounds of violating US export control laws,” he said.

According to him, Russians who decide to come to the US should keep in mind that they may face "hostile actions from Washington".

"All citizens need to be vigilant, stay in touch with embassies and consulates and be on guard against any hostile or provocative actions, including arrest. People travelling abroad need to keep this in mind," he said.

Previously, the US State Department has repeatedly called on Americans in Russia to "leave immediately" or face the risk of being "wrongfully detained".

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-canh-bao-co-the-ha-cap-hoac-cat-quan-he-voi-my-20231110145120320.htm