Russia’s former Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov granted a lengthy interview to Russian daily Kommersant regarding the new Trump Administration and the possibility of working with it. “The hopes of ordinary people for a better future are understandable,” Antonov said. “For peace, tranquility, raising children, improving life. Many are interested in the prospects of Russian-American relations. Journalists and political scientists make forecasts, I emphasize, with an emphasis on the positive. However, we should not have illusory hopes for some ‘uncle’ who will make our country richer and bring happiness to our homes.”
Antonov cautioned that Trump will find it difficult to deal with the anti-Russia consensus in the U.S. political environment.
He described how he had presented his credentials to Trump in 2017 and was graciously received, before things went south. “The unfortunate practice of expelling Russian diplomats under far-fetched pretexts flourished,” he said. “Collapse of contacts at all levels. Curtailment of substantive consultations. The reluctance of the then Republican administration to extend the 2010 Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START). The destruction of the foundations of contractual and legal practice between our countries in the area of strategic stability.”
This became even worse under the Biden Administration, he explained. “Especially after the beginning of the [special military operation], anti-Russian sentiments stirred up the entire American society. They led to new dividing lines. Even seemingly pragmatic ex-officials and politicians began to use anti-Russian attacks more often, to offer delirious ideas about inflicting a strategic defeat on us.”
He indicated that one should wait and see what the new administration would offer. “In the U.S. political environment, especially in Congress, and in a number of think tanks, a consensus has been established to confront Russia. This is a serious force that Donald Trump will find it difficult, if not impossible, to deal with.”
He warned against exaggerated optimism but indicated that positive signals from Trump were being closely watched by the Russian side. “I am confident that all the positive aspects of Donald Trump’s policy, if they take the concrete form of proposals after the inauguration … will be carefully considered by the Russian side,” he said.
“All actions of the Democrats are predictable in principle, including in relation to Russia. I am sure that if and when they return to power, their rotten policy will continue,” Antonov said. “There is little predictability regarding the Republicans. Previously, the head of state’s words have not been translated into concrete actions. Of course, a possible meeting of the leaders of the two great powers is objectively useful. So far, the words coming from the U.S. are being considered in the context of the upcoming inauguration.”
He lamented the miserable conditions being imposed on Russian diplomats working in the U.S., including the refusal to let them travel to Elizabeth City, North Carolina for the commemoration of the 1945 death of Russian pilots in Operation Zebra. At the same time, however, he indicated that Americans and Russians are ultimately destined to work together and that it is in the interest of both to prevent a conflict that could lead to nuclear war, the renewal of agreements on nuclear weapons being an important factor.
“Until the U.S. and its satellites learn to recognize and respect Russian national interests, to build equal and mutually respectful relations based on international law, without sanctions pressure, it is premature to talk about future arms control agreements,” he said. “And we just need the Americans to return in practice to such clear and important provisions, at least those laid down in the preamble to the START Treaty, about equal and indivisible security. In the future, we need to develop a common understanding and content of a peace equation acceptable to all.”
