"At times like this when Russia and the United States are going through a period of tension and great disagreement on some pretty important issues, it is important to remember periods in our history, which are more numerous than the periods when we disagree, in which we made some common cause and did some great things together," Beyrle said. "It never hurts to remember those things."
Beyrle joined Russia’s Ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak in American University’s Initiative for Russian Culture screening of ‘They Fought for Their Country’ at the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC. Beyrle participated in a question and answer session after the film together with Executive Director of Initiative for Russian Culture Anton Fedyashin.
The former ambassador reminded that five years ago he had been at the ceremony at the Red Square watching US soldiers march in the parade.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated after Russia reunited with Crimea in March and an armed conflict erupted in Ukraine. The United States and its allies have imposed multiple sanctions against Russia’s banking, energy and military sectors, as well as several high-profile individuals over Moscow’s alleged involvement in Ukraine’s internal affairs.
Russian authorities have repeatedly denied any involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.
