Russian President Vladimir Putin will decide on further building bilateral relations between Russia and the United States, after the steps taken by the new U.S. administration will be analysed, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"Analysis is being conducted, we are reviewing the steps taken by the new U.S. administration," Peskov explained.
He noted that this analysis will take time. "Decisions on our policy will certainly be made later," Peskov went on to say, stressing that in line with the Russian constitution it is the head of state who determines the foreign policy of the country," the spokesman said.
Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov arrived in Moscow from Washington for consultations on March 21. Last week, Peskov said Putin was not currently planning a meeting with the diplomat. According to Peskov, Antonov has not yet briefed Putin on the current state of relations with Washington.
On March 16, U.S. President Joe Biden suggested the Russian authorities would have to "pay a price" for their alleged interference in U.S. elections. Later, the White House and the U.S. State Department made statements that Washington counts on constructive cooperation with Moscow in areas of mutual interest, but is not going to smooth over the contradictions in bilateral relations.
