Quotes from the President of the Russian Federation Mr V.Putin’s remarks made during the news conference following Russia-US talks

Russia-US relations

«We also agreed that the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation and the US State Department would begin consultations on the entire range of cooperation on the diplomatic track. Ambassadors will return to their permanent duty stations».

«I think the US lost as much as Russia after certain restrictions were put on the economy and trade».

Strategic stability

«President Biden made a responsible and, we believe, timely decision to extend New START for five years, that is, until 2024. Of course, it would be natural to ask what next. We agreed to start interdepartmental consultations under the aegis of the US Department of State and the Foreign Ministry of Russia».

Cybersecurity

«In 2020 we received 10 inquiries from the United States about cyberattacks on US facilities – as our colleagues say – from Russian cyberspace. Two more requests were made this year. Our colleagues received exhaustive responses to all of them, both in 2020 and this year. In turn, Russia sent 45 inquiries to the relevant US agency last year and 35 inquiries in the first half of this year. We have not yet received a single response. This shows that we have a lot to work on».

The Arctic

«I am deeply convinced that we can and should work together in this field. Just like the United States, Russia is one of the eight Arctic Council members. This year, Russia chairs the Arctic Council. Moreover, Alaska and Chukotka are separated by a well-known strait, with the United States on one side and Russia on the other. All this taken together should motivate us to pool our efforts».

The Northern Sea Route

«The use of the Northern Sea Route is regulated by international law. We are ready to assist all the interested countries and companies in developing the Northern Sea Route. If all of us work together to resolve all these issues, then I simply have no doubt that we will find all the solutions and troubleshooting options. I cannot see any problems that we could not resolve».

Implementation of the Minsk Agreements

«As far as I understood President Biden, he agreed that the Minsk agreements should be the basis for a settlement in southeastern Ukraine. If the Ukrainian side is willing to do this, we will take this path, no questions asked».