Political Controversies Will Not Shatter US-Russia Business Ties

The Russian Trade Representative in the United States Aleksander Stadnik told Sputnik on Wednesday that the business ties between Russia and the United States would not suffer from political provocations.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "We are sure that the political provocations by the US authorities, which we are witnessing, will not shake our strong ties with the American business and cooperation will remain just as productive," Stadnik said.

"Today, the American business demonstrates to its politicians that working with Russia should be mutually beneficial and should proceed in a civilized legal manner," Stadnik stated.

Earlier in October Russian flags had been taken down by the US authorities from the Russian properties in Washington, DC and San Francisco. In early September, Russian diplomats lost access to the buildings themselves as the US authorities closed down the Russian Consulate General in San Francisco and trade missions in New York City and Washington, DC.

Stadnik then stressed that the removal of flags was a shameless provocation. The Kremlin's spokesman said on Thursday that the act was an unfriendly step aimed at derailing bilateral ties.

The trade envoy spoke on the eve of the annual meeting of the US-Russia Business Council (USRBC), scheduled to take place on Thursday in New York.

"Holding the USRBC meeting with such a representative delegation indicates not only the establishment of business contacts between US and Russian companies, but it is also a clear signal that American business is open for cooperation with Russia. Likewise Russia that in word and deed proves that it is aimed at continuing cooperation with the American business, despite the political tension between our two countries," Stadnik stated.

The meeting in New York will be attended by the representatives of the various US companies, including Ford Motor Company, Mastercard, and Caterpillar, Inc.

Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov, representatives of the Russian companies, the officials representing the key sectors of the Russian economy will take part in the event.