Russia denies reports of US-Russia business deals before Ukraine war ends

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has denied reports suggesting that the United States is seeking to sign separate business agreements with Moscow before the conclusion of the war in Ukraine.

Addressing claims previously reported by the New York Times, Ryabkov stated that he has received no such messages from the U.S. He emphasized that the prevailing position from Washington appears to be that an agreement regarding Ukraine must be reached first, with all other matters, including economic cooperation and financial projects, following afterward.

Ryabkov noted that while Moscow remains open to discussing economic aspects and projects in a subsequent phase of negotiations, the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict remains the central prerequisite for restoring broader bilateral relations.