Foreign Minister Lavrov Says Russia Is Ready For Dialogue With The US If Washington Takes Initiative

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was ready for an open dialogue with the United States if such an initiative came from Washington after Donald Trump's re-elect.

Trump, who is paired with JD Vance and promoted by the Republican Party, won the 2024 United States presidential election after earning more than 270 electoral votes, a minimum threshold to win the contestation of 538 electoral votes contested in 50 states and the District of Columbia, over rivals from the Democratic Party, the incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris and Team Walz.

"We have never rejected contact with anyone. President (Russia Vladimir) Putin stressed our position whenever this topic was raised. Talking is always better than self-isolating," said Russia's top diplomat, when asked if there were plans to maintain communication with the new US Administration, reported by TASS November 8.

"We will see if there are proposals, and I emphasize that it is not us who cut ties and it is not our job to suggest that the relationship be revived. If there is an initiative to sit down and discuss openly about our position and how we have to move forward, without unilateral demands, we will be ready (for that)," he added.

Foreign Minister Lavrov described the problems faced by Russia-US relations as "very deep," stemming from the elite perception of Uncle Sam's country that every competitor in the international arena must be suppressed unless one questions the global dominance of the US.

"Of course, this position is becoming increasingly irrelevant, given how the situation has developed globally. However, Americans continue to adhere to this ideology," he concluded.