Ambassador Jon Huntsman met on March 12, 2019 with Federation Council Chair Valentina Matviyenko. Building on the productive conversations between the Congressional delegation that visited last year and Federation Council representatives, Ambassador Huntsman reiterated the desire of the American government to work together with Russia to facilitate inter-parliamentary cooperation and raised issues that present opportunities for and obstacles to improving the bilateral relations.

Speaker Matviyenko emphasized that the deterioration of the U.S.-Russia relations was directly at odds with the national interests of both countries and created additional threats to international stability and security.

The meeting’s participants underscored that the resumption of a dialogue at all levels, including between national legislatures, was of the utmost importance. The possibility of meetings between corresponding delegations at international parliamentary fora attended by both countries was also discussed.

According to Valentina Matviyenko, Russia is ready to resume parliamentary contacts at various levels.

She also expressed her conviction that progress in the U.S.-Russian relationship is only possible on the basis of equality and respect for the interests of both countries.