The former US ambassador to Afghanistan had lunch with the Russian ambassador at a posh restaurant in Washington, and journalists overheard their conversation.
Against the background of the Russian invasion of Ukraine Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, has been called “the least popular person” in Washington. However, he still had a reputable company in the capital's Cafe Milano. Antonov had lunch with former US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zamai Khalizad.
Politico writes about this, adding that Dmitry Simes, executive director of the National Interest Center, was also with them. The journalist sat at the next table and overheard their conversation.
The Russian ambassador agreed when Khalizad said the need for an agreement that ended Russia's war against Ukraine. Discussing the prospect of a peace agreement, Antov asked the American diplomat, “What would the United States want us to give up?” In response, Khalizad advised the Russian diplomat to have lunch with the Ukrainian ambassador.
Apparently, appealing to Russian fabrications about the “Nazis” at the head of Ukraine, Antonov asked the American diplomat: “You have many Jews in the United States. Why are they so patient about everything that is happening in Kyiv? ” Russia's ambassador also spoke about his misunderstanding between President Volodymyr Zelensky and his “vision of Ukraine's future.”
Read also: Russia's ambassador to the European Union has threatened to halt Nord Stream 1 completely -Russian relations, Antonov complained that Washington “does not respect” Moscow, adding that Russia “needs respect” and that it “would like the United States to respect it.” Asked what would help normalize relations between the two countries, Antonov told Khalizada, “I can't answer that question.” But he later said that Russia “needs security guarantees.”
Antonov also complained about the lack of dialogue and communication between the United States and Russia, adding that even during the Caribbean crisis, the country continued to talk. Towards the end of the lunch, Antonov told Khalizada, “I would like to use your contacts, as well as your contacts in this administration.” Khalizad, in turn, spoke of the need for a “parallel” channel of communication between the United States and Russia.
