Russia, US should preserve what is left of their relations

Meticulous work is required to improve the Russian-US relations and it is important to preserve that small amount that is left of them, Russia’s Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday in his address to students of Brigham Young University in Utah.

"Diligent work, careful maneuvering and active use of diplomacy are required to improve the situation. We will have to rebuild a lot of ground from scratch. We must save what little is left of our relationship. At the same time it is important to create favorable environment to intensify our bilateral ties," Antonov said.

"Russia stands for equal, mutually beneficial and pragmatic relations in which there is no room for the strong and the weak one, the big or the younger brother. We treat US national interests with respect. All we want is reciprocity. For our part, we are open to a constructive cooperation to the extent the American side is ready for," he said.

"In this context the international community took note with concern of the statements made several days ago about the US intent to withdraw from the INF Treaty, signed back in 1987. I would like to remind that, thanks to the Treaty, two missile types with ranges from 500 to 5,500 kilometers were eliminated," the diplomat stressed.

"The signing of the Treaty proved the possibility to escape the dangerous situation of the nuclear standoff, which back then was becoming more and more volatile, that the two nuclear superpowers were able to overcome the psychological barrier," Antonov added.

"International stability is still recovering from the US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty. Today, it is argued that nothing will happen to international security if the United States pull out of the INF Treaty. But it seems that the demolition of treaties has never contributed to improving international situation, nor has it ever strengthened peace and security," he said.

"Another alarming issue. The fate of the New START Treaty is uncertain. Back in Helsinki Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested to thoroughly consider a possibility of extending the New START for another five years. I wish to remind that the document was previously recognized by the majority of countries as ‘a golden standard’ in disarmament," Antonov said.

The diplomat said that there were other issues relevant for security of both Russia and the United States.

"They include development of global missile defense system, prospects of placement of weapons in space, situation with long-range sea-launched cruise missiles and long-range high-precision systems, the future of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, state of affairs in non-proliferation of the WMD and means of their delivery. Reestablishing a full-scale dialogue between us with a view to maintain international stability is a matter of immediate priority," the Russian ambassador emphasized.

Currently, Antonov is on a visit to Utah. On Tuesday, he held a meeting with Utah Governor Gary Herbert and also met with local entrepreneurs. During the meetings, the sides agreed to consider how cooperation between Russian regions and US states might be enhanced.