Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (file photo)

Russia says its diplomatic relations with the United States have not hit the lowest yet, despite rising tensions between the two sides over the thorny issue of Ukraine.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Saturday that ties between Moscow and Washington "did not hit the lowest point, thank God, and there is a progress in some aspects at the very least and not everything is hopeless."

Speaking to Interfax news agency, Ryabkov said Moscow needs stable and predictable relations with Washington. "We do not want a conflict and we want to agree on a reasonable basis," Ryabkov said. "Any diplomatic move, any proposal is ... a test for negotiability."

Relations between Russia and the West have hit a new low in recent weeks. The US, its NATO allies, and Ukraine accuse Moscow of amassing troops near Ukraine�s border for a possible invasion. But Russia says there is no such plan.

Ryabkov said on Friday that Moscow wants a legally binding guarantee that NATO would give up any military activity in Eastern Europe and Ukraine.

He made the remarks after the Kremlin laid out for the first time in detail demands that it wants from the US in order to lower tensions in Europe and defuse the crisis over Ukraine.

Moscow sent the provisions in full in a proposal to Washington this week. "The situation can be stabilized and improved with the help of such agreements," Ryabkov said on Saturday, referring to the proposal. "Without them the situation will remain extremely difficult and tense."

The White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday that Washington is prepared for dialogue with Moscow over its security demands and will present its own concerns.

The United States, an ally of Kiev, says there has been a significant amount of Russian military movement along its border with Ukraine.

Russia says it is free to move its troops around within its own borders but that its military buildup is not provocative. Moscow views it as defensive measures against Ukraine�s closer alliance with the West and aspirations to join NATO.

LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/24840

*	NAME
*	COMMENT
4 DIGITS BELOW
*

	Israel launches missile attack on outskirts of Damascus, killing Syrian civilians
	Ukraine beset by $40m fraud in arms procurement amid war with Russia
	US approves sale of F-16 jets to Turkey after Ankara ratifies Sweden�s NATO membership
	UNSC to meet to discuss ICJ ruling on Israeli genocide in Gaza
	Gaza�s major health facility collapses amid Israeli attacks: MSF
	Americans to redeploy nuclear weapons in UK amid fears of WW3
	Yemen directly hits US warship with ballistic missile
	Turkish lawmakers open debate over Sweden�s NATO membership
	Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Al-Maghazi operation proved defeat of Israeli regime in Gaza war
	Pakistan Army Kills Seven �Terrorists� Near Afghan Border