MOSCOW. Feb 5 (Interfax) - Federation Council Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Konstantin Kosachyov has described certain provisions of U.S. President Joe Biden's foreign policy speech as encouraging.
"Certain keynote aspects of Biden's speech are actually somewhat encouraging. First and foremost, he spoke about common problems, such as the pandemic, climate, and nuclear weapons. Please note that Obama's 'triad' was Ebola, ISIL (terrorist organization banned in Russia), and Russia. In fact, the third 'evil' (i.e. our country) made a decisive contribution to the victory over the second evil, but they preferred to not remember about that," Kosachyov said on Facebook.
"In the case of Biden's 'troika', there are things to discuss in the bilateral and multilateral formats. These are real problems, and I see a lot of intersection points," he said.
A result has already been achieved in one of those areas, Kosachyov said, referring to the extension of the New START Treaty.
Biden's intention to engage U.S. "adversaries and competitors diplomatically, where it's in [their] interest, and advance the security of the American people" is also viewed by Kosachyov as a rather good sign.
"At least, this means dialogue. That's progress, considering that we have nothing at the moment," he said.
"Of course, the president could not have helped but warn Russia and promise not to leave unpunished Russia's malign activity on the world stage and violation of international obligations, as well as make it 'pay' the price (which is probably already included the budget)," Kosachyov said.
However, this is a question of interpretation, "considering the absence of Russia's malign actions and breach of obligations either now or in the future, unless they are invented as an excuse for new sanctions," he said. "In other words, if the White House wishes to find another 'interference', 'cyberattack' or 'threat to American interests' in any part of the globe, it will find them if we do nothing. But if it doesn't, a window for dialogue will be open. The choice is up to the Americans," he said.
"In the end, Biden pledged to restore America's global leadership in the fight against challenges and, of course, to vehemently defend its values," Kosachyov said, adding, this might mean "a continuation of the export of revolutions."
"Well, no one doubted that," Kosachyov said.
As for Biden's speech in general, Kosachyov said, "This may actually be interesting."