MOSCOW (Sputnik) — It is too early to draw conclusions of a possible thaw in Russian-US relations but the fact that dialogue is being conducted is positive in itself, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
"It is too early to draw any conclusions. Of course, the very fact that dialogue is conducted is very positive," Peskov told reporters when asked to assess Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to Washington on Wednesday.
Recounting three phone calls between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in addition to Lavrov's and US State Secretary Rex Tillerson's mutual visits, Peskov urged "cautious optimism, because a lot of work awaits us ahead."
"We are guided by the fact that the two presidents will be at the G20 in Hamburg at the same time, it can be a good occasion for their meeting," Peskov said.
On Wednesday, Lavrov held meetings with Tillerson and Trump in Washington and said that the Russian and US presidents would hold a meeting during the G20 summit.
On May 2, Putin and Trump held a phone conversation and spoke in favor of organizing a personal meeting on the sidelines of the Hamburg summit, which will take place on July 7-8.
Sec Tillerson and #Russian FM Lavrov confirmed Minsk agreements remain sole path to peace in #Ukraine: https://t.co/MP4b9EMqto pic.twitter.com/3cpu2vrEAi
— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) 10 мая 2017 г.
Peskov rejected the assumption that there is any connection between the possible replacement of the Russian ambassador in the United States and the dismissal of FBI Director James Comey.
"We do not announce personnel changes, if and when relevant decrees are signed by the president, we will inform you about it," Peskov told reporters.
Asked whether the situation looks like an exchange: US President Donald Trump dismisses the FBI director, who was investigating his alleged ties with Russia, and Moscow replaces Ambassador to the US Sergei Kislyak, Peskov said: "No, it does not look like it. We do not conduct any exchanges of our ambassadors."
Trump scolded Comey in a letter announcing his dismissal, stating, "You are not able to effectively lead" the FBI. As such, a change in leadership was necessary to rebuild trust between the White House and law enforcement.
