Moscow: The Kremlin announced on Friday that a US Senate initiative to designate Russia as a "state sponsor of terrorism" is designed to undermine diplomatic dialogue between Moscow and Washington. The proposed bill, which cites the "abduction of Ukrainian children" as a key reason for the designation, has drawn sharp criticism from Russian officials.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that such legislative initiatives hinder efforts to maintain open communication with the United States. Zakharova emphasized that the move not only disrupts dialogue but also hampers initiatives aimed at reuniting children separated from their families during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Zakharova further explained that direct contact with the US is crucial to facilitating family reunification and providing the international community with a clearer understanding of the humanitarian situation on the ground. She confirmed Russia's readiness to offer comprehensive and factual information regarding the status of these children.
Highlighting the results of cooperative efforts, Zakharova noted that seven minors have been reunited with their families in Ukraine, and one girl returned to her relatives in Russia on October 11. This illustrates the potential impact of continued dialogue and collaboration between the two nations.
Dmitry Peskov, the Russian presidential spokesperson, reiterated Moscow's stance, stating that Russia acts based on its national interests while remaining open to dialogue with Washington, provided it is grounded in mutual respect. Peskov added that President Vladimir Putin does not exclude the possibility of a future Russia-US summit. However, he emphasized that any such meeting should be substantive and productive, rather than merely a ceremonial event.