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.



China Says It Will Grow Relations with Canada on Basis of Mutual Respect 

Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney delivers his speech after being announced as the winner of the party leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney delivers his speech after being announced as the winner of the party leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
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China Says It Will Grow Relations with Canada on Basis of Mutual Respect 

Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney delivers his speech after being announced as the winner of the party leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney delivers his speech after being announced as the winner of the party leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

China will continue to grow bilateral relations with Canada on the basis of mutual respect and equality, the foreign ministry said after Mark Carney won the race to lead Canada's ruling party and become the next prime minister.

Carney, a two-time central banker who has never held elected office, won the leadership race with 86% of the votes cast on Sunday and will succeed Justin Trudeau who resigned in January.

Speaking at a regular press conference on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning congratulated Carney on his win, while urging Canada to work with China to promote improvement and development of relations.

"We expect Canada to adhere to an objective and rational understanding of China and pursue a positive and pragmatic policy towards China," Mao said on Monday.

Carney's victory came just a day after Beijing announced tariffs on over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products on Saturday, in retaliation against levies Ottawa introduced in October.

The levies, scheduled to take effect on March 20, match the 100% and 25% import duties Canada imposed on China-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products.

Mao defended China's countermeasures as entirely "legitimate and reasonable," telling the Canadian side to correct its "wrong practices" to provide a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable environment for the two countries' enterprises.