In a clear signal of the strained relationship between Russia and the United States, Moscow has confirmed that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will not be meeting with his US counterpart Antony Blinken during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, when asked about a potential meeting between Lavrov and Blinken on Sunday, bluntly stated, “Of course not. What is there to talk about with him (Blinken)?”
The frosty exchange highlights the deep chasm that has emerged between the two nations since Russia launched its full-scale military offensive in Ukraine in February 2022. The situation has been further complicated by the US considering whether to authorize Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia.
Russia, facing a barrage of international sanctions, insists it is not isolated. Ryabkov emphasized that Lavrov has a packed schedule of meetings in New York, with “colossal programme of meetings” that “do not concern Ukraine.”
He acknowledged the intense focus on Ukraine from Russia’s adversaries, stating, “Of course, the maniacal focus of our opponents on the topic of support for Ukraine is not going anywhere.” However, he added that Russia and its allies aim to demonstrate that Ukraine is not the only, or even the most important, issue on the UNGA agenda.
Beyond the Ukraine conflict, Russia and the US are at odds on a multitude of other issues, including their respective policies on Israel, Iran, and North Korea.
