Russia Denies Public Diplomacy Amid U.S. Talks Claims
Moscow, Aug 18. If something is talked about loudly, it is no longer diplomacy; it is usually conducted quietly, said President of the Russian Federation's deputy Yuri Ushakov to Pavel Zarubin for IS 'Vesti', commenting on reports from American media that Russia and the United States are conducting quiet diplomacy.
Consensus
- Diplomacy is typically conducted privately.
- Yuri Ushakov, a Russian presidential aide, commented on media reports about 'quiet diplomacy' between Russia and the United States.
- The reports originated from Financial Times coverage of a visit by U.S. arts commissioner Rodney Mims Cook Jr.
- Cook attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (PMEF).
- Ushakov stated that public discussion of an issue means it is no longer diplomacy.
Points of divergence
- Political analyst Konstantin Blokhin believes the U.S. aims to secure concessions from Russia on Ukraine through quiet diplomacy, and views Cook as a tool to push Russia toward compromise. — m24
- Cook received a diplomatic passport and underwent briefings before traveling to Russia, and Washington expected to use non-traditional intermediaries like Cook to resolve the Ukraine conflict deadlock. — vedomosti
- Cook did not comment on the reports or confirm whether he was instructed by U.S. President Donald Trump to conduct negotiations. — m24
Coverage (4 sources)
- Ushakov responds to reports of Russia and US 'quiet diplomacy' — Ведомости
- Ushakov responds to media reports on 'quiet diplomacy' between Russia and the USA — Интерфакс
- Ushakov: if something is talked about loudly, it is no longer diplomacy — Вести
- Political scientist Blokhin: US wants to get concessions from Russia on Ukraine through quiet diplomacy — Москва 24
Key entities
- Russia
- USA
- Moscow
- Yuri Usakov
- Media
- Blokhin
- Washington
- Ukraine
- IT 'News'
- Rodney Cooke
- INTERFAX.RU
- Gazeta.ru
- FT
- Vesti
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