Russian Ambassador Alexander Darchiev Addresses Stagnation in Strategic Dialogue with Washington
Alexander Darchiev, the Russian Ambassador to the United States, has called for a shift in Washington’s policy to restart the stalled strategic dialogue with Moscow, emphasizing the importance of mutual trust and cooperation. In a recent interview, he addressed ongoing issues in bilateral relations, including the suspension of the planned summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and the slow progress on arms control agreements. Darchiev criticized the uncertainty surrounding potential U.S. nuclear tests, noting that this has created a climate of speculation and undermined strategic stability. He highlighted the need for clarity from the American administration on whether these tests involve live nuclear detonations, which would significantly impact the existing arms control regime.
Furthermore, Darchiev pointed out that the indefinite postponement of the Russian-American summit, which was initially scheduled to take place in Budapest, has led to doubts about the continuation of the momentum from the previous meeting between Trump and President Vladimir Putin. He expressed that the current administration’s actions have not provided for a clear path towards resolving issues such as nuclear testing and arms control. Darchiev also noted the criticism from various experts and political figures regarding the potential resumption of U.S. nuclear testing, which he believes is based on unfounded claims. He reiterated Moscow’s stance that any such developments would be met with calm considerations due to the advanced security measures and weapons developed in recent years.
The Ambassador also addressed the stalled negotiations on so-called ‘irritants’ in bilateral relations, which were initiated by the previous administration. Darchiev noted that while certain improvements have been made, they do not address the broader issues affecting the normalization of relations. He criticized the U.S. State Department’s refusal to engage in discussions regarding the return of properties confiscated from Russia and highlighted the challenges faced by diplomatic and consular missions due to travel restrictions and limited visa availability. Darchiev emphasized the need for substantive progress rather than merely addressing practicalities, advocating for a return to a more stable and cooperative framework in U.S.-Russia relations.