🎙 Interview by Director of the Russian MFA North Atlantic Department Alexander Gusarov with International Affairs magazine (October 22, 2026) Key points: • The North Atlantic Department is considered one of the Ministry’s most distinguished and well-established departments, with a history dating back to the 1920s. Its formal founding date, regarded as its birthday, is October 1, 1925. • We regard regular consultations between the Russian and US leaderships, as well as through other working channels, as an important stabilising force in bilateral relations and the entire international security architecture. • Restoring a constructive approach to #RussiaUSA relations does not automatically resolve all the problems and disagreements that have accumulated between our countries over the years. Clearly, a great deal of painstaking work still lies ahead. • We have no doubt that US President Donald Trump is sincere in seeking mutually acceptable terms for a lasting and sustainable political settlement. We appreciate the efforts made by him personally and by his representatives. • The current Republican majority in both houses of Congress did not prevent the adoption of the rather damaging “Lindsey Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act”. • There is no reason to expect positive changes in Russia-UK relations following the formation of a new government in London. We are convinced that London has no interest in normalising relations. • Russia-Canada relations remain at a near-zero level. This stems from the Canadian leadership’s irrational obsession with anti-Russian illusions and Ottawa’s commitment to supporting the neo-Nazi Kiev regime. • Canada’s history contains many controversial chapters involving Nazi criminals and collaborators who settled in the country after 1945. • We remain open to restoring normal relations with Ireland, despite its drift towards the anti-Russian consensus in Brussels and London. Full interview (in Russian)