
MOSCOW, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Russia and the United States must normalize the work of each other's diplomatic missions, and Moscow is ready to do that on the basis of the "zero option" plan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday.
"When we understood that sanctions are not only not frozen or lifted, but are also expanding and deepening, we also responded and insisted that the number of American diplomats in Russia and Russian diplomats in the U.S. be equal," Lavrov said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel, according to the transcript of the interview published by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
In March 2018, Russia announced the decision to expel 60 U.S. diplomats and close the U.S. consulate general in St. Petersburg, in retaliation to Washington's move to expel 60 Russian diplomats and intelligence officials in the United States.
Lavrov expressed regrets the U.S. Congress stood in the way of U.S President Donald Trump's efforts to bring relations with Russia back on track.
"I repeat, we are ready at any time to resolve these issues on the basis of the 'zero option' and return to the normal functioning of our diplomatic institutions," Lavrov said.
He said that he had already discussed the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman, who understands that "sometime we must return to this. The sooner, the better."
The "zero option" refers to an American proposal for the withdrawal of all Soviet and United States intermediate-range nuclear missiles from Europe.
On August 2, Russia and the United States formally withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty after accusing each other of violating the landmark arms control deal.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses