MOSCOW. June 27 (Interfax) - Moscow is considering and analyzing the possibility of downgrading its diplomatic relations with Western countries in response to their anti-Russian policy, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
"Is a decision that includes downgrading diplomatic relations possible today? I can say that this issue is under consideration. All this is being looked into," Ryabkov said in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper.
"We have never initiated such a step even despite all twists and turns of the most acute phase in our relations with the so-called collective West, but we do not rule out any options in the future," he said.
A return to the arms control dialogue becomes impossible following the strike on Sevastopol with U.S.-made ATACMS missiles, Ryabkov said.
"They are waging a proxy war against us and have even got directly involved in the conflict on a number of occasions. [...] And how can we [...] speak about any further reductions or at least simply restrictions in strategic offensive weapons? They ought to understand that this is impossible from the point of view of basic human logic," he said.