Russia-Ukraine conflict: US ambassador says not to close embassy in Russia

With the US leading the West in sanctioning Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, there is the possibility that the US embassy in Moscow and the Russian embassy in Washington may be shut down. However, the US ambassador to Russia said the embassies must not be shut down.

Despite the global crisis that came as a result of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the US ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, told Russian news outlet TASS on Monday that the embassies of both countries must not close. Sullivan described the possibility as a “big mistake” and explained that both countries must remain open to communication.

Sullivan was also pressed on the analogy made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken last month joked that he would like to dedicate Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

“We will also never break up entirely,” said Sullivan.

“They can – there is the possibility, although I think it would be a big mistake,” Sullivan responded, regarding the indication of the analogy regarding the closing of embassies in both countries.

“As I understand it, the Russian government has mentioned the variant of severing diplomatic relations,” Sullivan explained. “We can’t just break off diplomatic relations and stop talking to each other.”

“We must preserve the ability to speak to each other,” said Sullivan

The Kremlin said Monday that it remains interested in talks with the US over nuclear arms, but the negotiations would unlikely happen at this time.

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said Putin committed a “historic mistake” when he ordered an invasion of Ukraine, leaving Russia “isolated” from the world. However, Macron also said that Russia must not be “humiliated,” citing that when the war ends, there would be a diplomatic resolution.

“I told him that he made a historic and fundamental error for his people, for himself, and for history,” said Macron.

Macron also did not rule out visiting Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The war in Ukraine has also brought on the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. Putin also accused the West of the resulting food and energy crisis brought on by the sanctions imposed on Russia.