Moscow ready to improve ties with US: Ryabkov

Moscow, Dec 20 (Agency) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Monday Russia is ready to improve relations with the United States and all proposals regarding it have been put forward to the country and now the matter rests on the US’ political will. “As soon as Washington is ready for this,” Ryabkov told reporters when asked when to wait for the improvement of relations between the states, adding that Russia is ready.

He added that “all the proposals … are on their [the US’] table.” “Everything is offered to the Americans. It is a question of political choice,” the diplomat said. Moscow hopes that the United States understands the necessity of a prompt response to its proposals on security guarantees, the official said. According to him, if the United States reacts negatively, “it means that by doing so, they are pursuing a deliberate line to whip up tensions.” Russia will not agree to that, he noted. Additionally, Ryabkov denied speculations that Moscow is upping the ante with its security proposals and slammed them as “the unwillingness and lack of political will to seriously work in the direction that is simply imperative.”