Kremlin informs US that cooperation is a two-way dance
Russia is open to restoring relations with the US; however, the Kremlin spokesman has emphasized that reciprocal actions from the Americans are essential. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated to TASS that Russia is not responsible for the ongoing sanctions conflict, emphasizing that the initiative originated from Washington. He asserted that Russia is open to normalizing relations with the United States, but reciprocal actions from the US are necessary for progress.
"It is not Russia that initiated this sanctions race. It was initiated by Washington,” Peskov remarked. He reiterated that “Russia, as president [Vladimir Putin] says, is open to normalization” with the US.
He added, “But we cannot tango alone. And we do not intend to do so.” This sentiment aligns with remarks made by President Putin at the Valdai international forum earlier this month, where he expressed Moscow's willingness to repair ties with Washington, while underscoring that the responsibility lies with the US for any relationship damage and the imposition of sanctions.
During the forum, Putin also highlighted that Moscow has refrained from exacerbating conflicts in countries adjacent to the US, unlike Washington. “It remains unclear why the US feels justified in doing otherwise. I hope they will eventually recognize that such things should not be done if we wish to prevent global conflicts,” he stated.
Putin noted that US President-elect Donald Trump had “expressed similar sentiments” during his election campaign, but acknowledged the need to observe how this would unfold in practice. In Trump’s victory speech on November 6, he mentioned intentions to “stop wars,” indicating a preference for diplomatic resolutions to conflicts, including the situation in Ukraine, although without providing specific details.
The President-elect also described his relationship with Putin as “good” and recognized the Russian leader as one of the world's most capable leaders.
Since 2014, following the Western-backed coup in Kiev that led to Crimea's rejoining of Russia and a conflict in Ukraine, the US and its allies have imposed an unprecedented 22,000 sanctions on Moscow. The number of sanctions surged following the onset of Russia’s special military operation in February 2022. Russian authorities have characterized these sanctions as illegal, retaliating with their own measures, such as travel bans on Western officials.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
"It is not Russia that initiated this sanctions race. It was initiated by Washington,” Peskov remarked. He reiterated that “Russia, as president [Vladimir Putin] says, is open to normalization” with the US.
He added, “But we cannot tango alone. And we do not intend to do so.” This sentiment aligns with remarks made by President Putin at the Valdai international forum earlier this month, where he expressed Moscow's willingness to repair ties with Washington, while underscoring that the responsibility lies with the US for any relationship damage and the imposition of sanctions.
During the forum, Putin also highlighted that Moscow has refrained from exacerbating conflicts in countries adjacent to the US, unlike Washington. “It remains unclear why the US feels justified in doing otherwise. I hope they will eventually recognize that such things should not be done if we wish to prevent global conflicts,” he stated.
Putin noted that US President-elect Donald Trump had “expressed similar sentiments” during his election campaign, but acknowledged the need to observe how this would unfold in practice. In Trump’s victory speech on November 6, he mentioned intentions to “stop wars,” indicating a preference for diplomatic resolutions to conflicts, including the situation in Ukraine, although without providing specific details.
The President-elect also described his relationship with Putin as “good” and recognized the Russian leader as one of the world's most capable leaders.
Since 2014, following the Western-backed coup in Kiev that led to Crimea's rejoining of Russia and a conflict in Ukraine, the US and its allies have imposed an unprecedented 22,000 sanctions on Moscow. The number of sanctions surged following the onset of Russia’s special military operation in February 2022. Russian authorities have characterized these sanctions as illegal, retaliating with their own measures, such as travel bans on Western officials.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
