Russia Expects Nothing Good From Biden

Comments come after Biden vowed retaliation for cyberattack

A day after Joe Biden vowed retaliation for a cyberattack many in the US are blaming on Russia, despite a lack of evidence, officials in Moscow said they aren’t expecting anything good from the incoming administration.

“We are definitely not expecting anything good,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview on Wednesday. “And it would be strange to expect good things from people, many of whom made their careers on Russophobia and throwing mud at my country.”

Ryabkov also addressed the recent cyberattack, which Moscow has denied responsibility for. He said Russia registers hacking attempts from the US and other foreign countries “every day” but does not “make a fuss about it.”

Biden’s January 20th inauguration will take place at a very sensitive time for US-Russia relations. The New START, the last nuclear arms control treaty between the two powers, is set to expire on February 5th.

While the Trump administration failed to negotiate an extension of the vital treaty, the Russians are still offering to extend New START for five years without preconditions. Biden has said he favors the idea of the five-year extension, but he will have to move quickly to save the treaty.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also spoke with reporters on Wednesday about the US and vowed a response to new sanctions from the Trump administration. On Monday, the US blacklisted 45 Russian companies, alleging they have military ties. The list restricts US exports to the Russian firms.

In another sign of souring ties, the US is closing its last two consulates in Russia, leaving the embassy in Moscow as the last US diplomatic mission in the country.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.