Russia reports ties with US not to improve soon

Russia does not expect its relations with the United States to improve dramatically in the near future, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. Speaking in an interview with the Voice of Russia radio, Ryabkov cited the two countries\' problems in trade and regional security. \"We know the position of our US partners perfectly, and we present our position thoroughly. We try to find an opportunity to bring these positions closer,\" Ryabkov said. The current trade volume between the two countries is \"ridiculously low,\" he said, noting that the United States is not among Russia\'s top five trading partners. In particular, Ryabkov lamented the lack of full-scale negotiations over the missile defense issue. He urged Washington to withdraw its tactical nuclear weapons from Europe, saying their presence is a strategic threat for Russia.