Russian Federation Security Council Secretary Shoigu stated that Russia is willing to resume dialogue with the United States but will not rely solely on American rhetoric, rather it will look at its actions.
In an interview with the Russian TASS news agency, he said that the Trump administration is currently taking steps to restore relations with Russia, and some preliminary signs indicate a "pragmatic attitude" from the U.S. Russia welcomes the U.S. abandoning the previous government's stereotypes about Russia and is willing to engage with the U.S., but at the same time, the history of U.S.-Russia relations also shows that compared to "verbal promises," Russia "can only trust the specific actions and facts of the United States."
He stated that the Russian leadership is committed to addressing the root causes of the Ukraine issue and ensuring Russia's security. Russia is willing to cease fire and negotiate peace, but the premise is that Russian interests and realities are fully considered, and "the United States has expressed understanding of Russia's stance on this."
Shoigu said that Russia is willing to resume dialogue with the U.S. on strategic stability issues, but the precondition is that "all factors affecting security, including NATO expansion and the construction and deployment of global missile defense systems, are fully considered."
He pointed out that Russia is closely monitoring the military preparedness of European countries, and if Western countries launch aggression, Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons.