Russia and US launch cybersecurity dialogue with three rounds already held
July 29, 2021, 3:11 am

Russia and US launch cybersecurity dialogue with three rounds already held

Sergey Ryabkov

According to the TASS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters on Wednesday Russia and the US have launched bilateral cybersecurity dialogue, with three formal rounds already held.

He said: "We are beginning to have a better understanding of security issues in the cyber sphere and its different aspects, starting with the use of the corresponding malware with criminal intent and ending with targeting critical infrastructure objects online.

They need an in-depth professional discussion on a bilateral basis, and this dialogue has been launched," he said. "It is already underway, specialists representing the responsible agencies are working on it. Strictly speaking, there have been three formal rounds and one contact."

The diplomat noted that the issue of digital technologies and cybersecurity was discussed during today’s strategic stability talks.

"This does not mean that we will continue dealing with this matter in this format, although both we and the US believe that these technologies and the corresponding opportunities in this sphere can influence strategic stability."

He noted that there is a big difference between a simple discussion of this issue and developing binding agreements in this sphere.

He pointed out that "we have no experience that would lead us to some kind of understanding at least whether it is worth it , and if it is worth it, then we need to understand how we will develop binding agreements in this sphere with the aim of strengthening strategic stability."

The first in-person round of Russian-US talks on strategic stability in 2021 was held in Geneva on Wednesday.

The Russian delegation was headed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, and the US one was led by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.

Source: tass
Image source: tass

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.