Russian Foreign Ministry: Moscow and Washington retain targeted opportunities for cooperation in the economy

Statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry

Russia and the United States still retain certain 'targeted' opportunities for cooperation in the economic sphere, despite restrictive measures taken by Washington. This was stated to Interfax by Alexander Gusarov, director of the North Atlantic Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, reports Gazeta.Ru.

A pragmatic approach

'We maintain a pragmatic openness to carrying out joint initiatives with the Americans — in cases where it is necessary and beneficial for us ourselves,' the diplomat specified. According to him, Moscow has never politicized the topic of economic cooperation. Thus, the Foreign Ministry's position boils down to the fact that interaction is possible selectively and only when Russian interests align, not as an end in itself.

Context: intensification of contacts

The statement came against the backdrop of intensified Russian-American contacts in November. Political scientist Grigory Yarygin, an associate professor at the American Studies Department of St. Petersburg State University, called the visit of Russian presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev and human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova to the White House a good signal, indicating the continuation of dialogue between Moscow and Washington. In his assessment, the intensification of contacts should be seen as the United States' readiness to reach certain agreements. The political scientist's assessment is an expert commentary, not an official position of either side.