A popular Russian opinion that the U.S. policy in Ukraine, Georgia, the Baltic countries and other states is aimed at weakening and isolating Russia is a misunderstanding in our relations, Hyde said at a joint session of international relations committees of the State Duma (the lower house of the Russian parliament) and the U.S. House of Representatives.
Neither the U.S. president and state secretary, nor regular officials pursue this policy, Hyde, the chairman of the U.S. Committee on International Relations, said.
This policy would be destructive for the United States and is doomed to failure, he added.
According to the congressman, the U.S. policy should be based on Peter the Great's words: "The place of Russia is in the West." The U.S. and world are interested in Russia being our ally, Hyde said.
Russian-U.S. relations are a most important factor today and expand beyond the bilateral framework.
We are friends but we may have different positions on certain issues which can lead to contradictions and even opposition. This is normal for any relations and we should reveal and discuss these differences to understand each other's interests and goals better, Hyde said.
Moscow and Washington can solve all problems by means of sincere dialogue. No matter how violent our discussions are we should always remember that friends would be friends even if they have different views, Hyde concluded.
