MOSCOW: The United States will continue to view Russia as an adversary regardless of the outcome of its presidential elections, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in a recent interview. Lavrov expressed skepticism about any shift in U.S. policy towards Russia, suggesting that the adversarial stance would persist post-elections, irrespective of the elected president.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Lavrov remarked that “regardless of the outcome of the elections, we will remain for the United States, if not an enemy, then certainly an adversary. In any case, a competitor.” His comments were made in an interview with aif.ru and reflect ongoing tensions in U.S.-Russia relations. Lavrov further linked recent statements by U.S. President Joe Biden on nuclear arms talks with Russia to domestic electoral politics, asserting that Biden’s remarks were intended to bolster the Democratic Party candidate, Kamala Harris, in the upcoming presidential elections.

Biden had previously declared his willingne
ss to engage in discussions with Russia, China, and North Korea on nuclear weapons reduction without preconditions. However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov criticized this approach, asserting that the U.S. seeks to use these negotiations to gain unilateral military advantages. Ryabkov emphasized Moscow’s firm opposition to such tactics.

The presidential elections in the United States are scheduled for November 5, adding urgency to the rhetoric surrounding U.S.-Russia relations.