Russia: We don't see real steps from US towards normalising relations

Russia does not believe that the United States (US) is taking any concrete steps towards easing relations between the two countries, the Kremlin said yesterday.

“The reality – the real state of affairs and real steps that we see Washington take point in the other direction,” presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, was quoted by Russia Today (RT) as saying.

Peskov said that Moscow is “cautious” about the possibility of sanctions being eased.

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“In this case I would be rather cautious, as these statements are so hypothetical,” Peskov stressed. “It is clear that the decisions that have been taken are a painful blow to aluminium buyers on many continents, and naturally buyers are asking themselves why they have to bear the burden.”

Earlier this month, Washington imposed sanctions against 24 Russians over suspected “Russian intervention in the presidential election” that led to the victory of US President Donald Trump.

The US Ambassador to Russia, Jon Huntsman, said recently that Trump had repeatedly declared his intention to seek more effective cooperation with Russia.