MOSCOW. Sept 11 (Interfax) - The resignation of U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton should not be seen as a hope for an improvement in the U.S. foreign policy, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax.
"In my opinion, it would be wrong to see the recent reshuffle and possible new appointments as a threshold for any hopes," Ryabkov said.
"We should see, at least, the initial signs of progress in the right direction, a sign of a more responsible attitude from Washington in the fields of arms control where the Americans are destroying the existing system, and in non-proliferation, where the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and subsequent attempts to put maximum pressure on Iran create problems," Ryabkov said.
In this context, Russia will carry on "its consistent policy, which is well known to the Americans," he said.
Ryabkov said Bolton's dismissal is "purely and solely an internal affair of the Americans."
"We cannot take any position here by definition. On the other hand, we have seen staff reshuffles in the top executive administration in the United States before, which were not followed by the changes we have spoken about, repeatedly emphasizing the need to focus on resolving real problems, not aggravating them," Ryabkov said.
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier said Bolton had been dismissed.