Russian Minister Says Moscow Can 'Definitely' Work with Trump Administration

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 16, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 16, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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Russian Minister Says Moscow Can 'Definitely' Work with Trump Administration

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 16, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 16, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Russia can "definitely" work with the administration of Donald Trump after he is sworn in as US president next month, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

Ryabkov reiterated accusations by Moscow that "reckless" actions by the West had raised the risk of nuclear war, and said Russia wanted to reduce the potential for conflict.
"Managing this crisis and getting to less shaky ground than now should be put on the agenda of hypothetical discussions with the Americans," Ryabkov told a panel discussion.
"Is it possible to work with the Trump administration? It's definitely possible," he replied when asked about the potential for cooperation.
His comments were the latest signal that Moscow, once Trump takes office, hopes for an improvement in bilateral ties which the Kremlin has said are currently "below zero".
President Vladimir Putin said last month that Trump's comments about ending the war in Ukraine - which the American has said repeatedly he could halt very quickly, but without saying how - were deserving of attention.
Ryabkov said he wanted to underline that no contacts of any kind had so far taken place between Russia and the incoming Trump team.



UK's PM Confirms Plan to Boost Defense Spending to 2.5% of GDP

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets military personnel onboard HMS Iron Duke on December 17, 2024 in Tallinn, Estonia. (Photo by Leon Neal / POOL / AFP)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets military personnel onboard HMS Iron Duke on December 17, 2024 in Tallinn, Estonia. (Photo by Leon Neal / POOL / AFP)
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UK's PM Confirms Plan to Boost Defense Spending to 2.5% of GDP

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets military personnel onboard HMS Iron Duke on December 17, 2024 in Tallinn, Estonia. (Photo by Leon Neal / POOL / AFP)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets military personnel onboard HMS Iron Duke on December 17, 2024 in Tallinn, Estonia. (Photo by Leon Neal / POOL / AFP)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated on Wednesday his Labour government's plan to increase defense spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), after NATO called on members to boost spending to meet threats from Russia.

In an interview with LBC radio, Starmer was asked whether Britain would be willing to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP, but the leader repeated his government's position that it would plot a route to spending 2.5%.

"The commitment we've made is to set out a path to 2.5%," Reuters quoted him as saying. Starmer has said his government will set out that path next year
Last week, NATO head Mark Rutte warned the US-led alliance that it was not ready for the threats it would face from Russia in the coming years and called for a shift to a wartime mindset, with much higher defense spending beyond the 2% target.
US President-elect Donald Trump has called on NATO members to boost defense spending to 3% of economic output. The alliance estimates 23 of its 32 members will meet its target of dedicating 2% of GDP to defense this year.