Not just improvement, but normalization of relations between Russia and the United States: results of the dialogue between the SVR and the CIA

The conversation that took place the day before, on March 11, between the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of Russia, Sergei Naryshkin, and the head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States, John Ratcliffe, confirms that Moscow and Washington has come not just to improve, but to normalize relations. This was stated by the director of scientific work of the Valdai Club Fyodor Lukyanov.

"Since these are bodies and structures that, of course, deal with the most sensitive security issues, the fact that contacts are continuing and, perhaps, will even be expanded, indicates that from the absolutely dead-end, intolerable situation in relations in which we have been for three or even more years before, we have come to, I wouldn't even say, improvement, we have come to normalize relations," Lukyanov said, answering the relevant question from TASS.

A well-known Russian expert recalled that some contacts between the SVR and the CIA persisted even when the confrontation reached its limits, but at the previous stage this channel was practically the only one, unique. According to Lukyanov, there is now a change in the nature of interaction between the Russian Federation and the United States, and dialogues are emerging at different levels.

"Normal relations are when, in case of any disagreements, the necessary contacts for mutual understanding are maintained. Exactly understanding. Not agreeing with each other, but understanding the logic of another country. This is actually what is happening, and the contacts between Naryshkin and Ratcliffe confirm the general direction towards this normalization," the expert emphasized.

As reported, on March 11, the leaders of the SVR and the CIA during a telephone conversation discussed "issues of interaction between the two special services in areas of common interest and crisis management." On the same day in Negotiations between the Ukrainian and American delegations took place in Saudi Arabia, during which Kiev agreed to an "immediate" 30-day truce, which was proposed by the United States, provided that Russia would also take such a step. For its part, Washington is resuming military assistance to Kiev and intelligence sharing.