Washington ready for ‘respectful & constructive’ dialogue with Moscow – US envoy
The US remains open to “constructive dialogue” with Russia, the American ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, said in her New Year’s address. She refrained from mentioning the Ukraine conflict by name, while expressing hope for a “more peaceful future” for both nations.
Washington and Moscow “must continue to find ways to sustain old ties and build new ones between Russians and Americans,” Tracy said in a two-minute video address published on the embassy’s X account on Tuesday.
“Our door also remains open to respectful and constructive dialogue with Russian government officials despite the profound disagreements we have on many issues,” the ambassador added.
Tracy stressed the “tremendous need for diplomacy,” noting that “conflicts and uncertainty continue to take a heavy toll across the world, including in this region,” in an apparent reference to the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, in which Washington has actively supported the Ukrainian side with military and financial assistance.
🎄 В своём новогоднем поздравлении посол Трейси делится мыслями о важности сохранения культурных и общественных связей между нашими странами, выражая надежду на то, что 2025-й год станет шагом к более мирному будущему. #НовыйГод2025#Дипломатия#USEmbRupic.twitter.com/GCgrQdrBM8
— Посольство США в РФ/ U.S. Embassy Russia (@USEmbRu) December 31, 2024
Tracy assumed her role as US envoy to Moscow in January 2023, when relations between the two nations were already at a low point, according to Russian officials. Just a week before her arrival, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that ties between Russia and the US were “probably at their lowest point, historically.”
The Kremlin reiterated this assessment in November 2024, when Peskov stated that it is “almost impossible to worsen relations,” describing the US as an “unfriendly country that is both directly and indirectly involved in the war against our state.”
The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden has been one of Kiev’s biggest supporters, committing billions in military aid and discussing the need to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia.
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election in November sparked speculation about peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine; however, the Kremlin has denied having any contact with the president-elect or his team regarding the issue thus far.
Tracy’s tenure as ambassador to Russia has been contentious, as she has been summoned multiple times by the Russian Foreign Ministry, primarily related to the US’ increasing involvement in the Ukraine conflict and what Moscow described as “blatant interference in internal affairs” of Russia.
