Russian senior diplomat: Ties with US not to improve soon

Russia does not expect its relations with the United States to improve dramatically in the near future, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday. Speaking in an interview with the Voice of Russia radio, Ryabkov cited the two countries' problems in trade and regional security as well as the recent controversy over adoption. "We know the position of our U.S. partners perfectly, and we present our position thoroughly. We try to find an opportunity to bring these positions closer," Ryabkov said. The current trade volume between the two countries was "ridiculously low," he said, noting that the United States is not among Russia's top five trading partners. In particular, Ryabkov lamented the lack of full-scale negotiations over the missile defense issue. He urged Washington to withdraw its tactical nuclear weapons from Europe, saying their presence is a strategic threat for Russia. Moscow has been ready to advance its relations with Washington, and contacts between the two sides, including at the top level, have been on the rise, he said. "This is a good sign," Ryabkov said.