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US prefers to collaborate with Russia in solution of international problems — ambassador

The US has no plans to stop issuing visas to Russian citizens

US ambassador to Russia John Tefft Mikhail Metzel/TASS

US ambassador to Russia John Tefft

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

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MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. Washington prefers to collaborate with Moscow in the solution of international problems, US ambassador to Russia John Tefft said on Wednesday as he answered the audiences’ questions on the VKontakte social network.

"For instance, we worked hard for quite some time to include Russia in the World Trade Organization, as we believed and continue to believe that an economically successful Russia would be much better for the world and for its own citizens, too," he said.

"But we can cooperate only within the formats meeting international principles - the ones Russia agreed to observe," Tefft said.

He also said the US has no plans to stop issuing visas to Russian citizens.

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"We continue endorsing the bulk of non-immigration visas for Russians and most of them get three-year multiple entry visas," Tefft said.

He claimed that decisions on issuing visas "are based on the same set of objective criteria used for each applicant and unrelated to politics."

"Frankly speaking, we would be proud to see more Russians apply for US visas and make trips to the US," Tefft said. "I believe firmly that there is nothing to replace personal experience in assisting a more profound mutual understanding between countries."

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