An unnamed “Russian diplomatic source” is quoted at some length by TASS on Nov. 13, providing important insight into current Russian policy thinking about the U.S. and what the source refers to as “the Anchorage agreements,” with his insistence that “the spirit of the understandings reached in Alaska” be resumed.
TASS wrote: “A Russian diplomatic source told TASS … [that] the Russian side ‘carefully reviewed and analyzed’ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s interview following the meeting of foreign ministers of the G7 countries, in particular his statement about the mutual understanding between the U.S. and Russia of the need to prepare for a productive summit meeting. ‘This is exactly what [Russian President] Vladimir Putin and [U.S. leader] Donald Trump agreed on during their Oct. 16 phone call. The issue of a new meeting between the Presidents was discussed in this context by [Russian Foreign Minister] Sergey Lavrov in a phone call with Marco Rubio on Oct. 20. The summit is definitely necessary, but it must be preceded by careful organizational and substantive preparation. However, this is only feasible if the U.S. firmly adheres to the Anchorage agreements. We are convinced that the practical details of the meeting between the Presidents must be worked out in the spirit of the understandings reached in Alaska,’ the Russian diplomat noted.”
These comments coincide precisely with earlier statements issued by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
