Russia�s U.N. ambassador says relations between Moscow and Washington are �practically non-existent,� which he says is bad not only for both countries but for the world � and he sees little prospect for improvement anytime soon.

Vassily Nebenzia said in a recent wide-ranging interview with a small group of journalists that the Trump administration should offer some incentives to North Korea to move forward toward denuclearization, saying the situation �is stalemated at the moment.�

Russia and China have backed an easing of sanctions to spur momentum, but the U.S. insists that North Korea must first make major steps toward eliminating its nuclear program.

�I�m concerned that it doesn�t roll back� to the 2017 era of increasing nuclear and missile tests and escalating rhetoric, Nebenzia said. �I think that the U.S. hopefully is starting to understand that the situation may go (back).�

As for Iran, Nebenzia said he worries about U.S. strategy if its sanctions don�t bring about the changes in behavior the Trump administration wants. He sees �a danger if they go to the limits.�

�I�m worried if anybody wants to go to war with Iran, and that is the enigma and the question � what is the strategy about Iran?� Nebenzia asked.

He said the U.S. and Russia need to talk about global issues including strategic stability, terrorism, narcotics and regional conflicts, and he thinks President Donald Trump �understands pretty well that it�s better to cooperate.�

But he said because Russia has become a major issue in U.S. domestic policies � accused of hacking and interfering in the 2016 U.S. elections which is being investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller � �and given the vulnerabilities that drift around this administration, I don�t see too bright prospects for improving (relations) any time soon.�

Looking more broadly at the U.S. position in the world under President Donald Trump, whose overarching policy is �America First,� Nebenzia said he doesn�t see the United States retreating.

It�s that the balance of power in the world is changing, he said, �and we definitely witness the rise in a multipolar world� where other centers of power not only Russia and China but India, Brazil and Africa �all want to be a part of the world governance and they want their voice to be heard and their interests taken into account.�

Nebenzia echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin�s view that Trump�s decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria was a good move, though he expressed some skepticism about whether the announcement will become a reality.

He said in the interview at Russia�s U.N. Mission late Friday that a pullout �will be helpful and conducive to the eventual Syrian settlement� of the seven-year conflict.

If and when the U.S. leaves Syria, Nebenzia said, America�s Kurdish allies in the northeast should reintegrate into Syrian society, and �their rights and interests should be taken into account in the final settlement.�

Alluding to fears that Turkish forces could cross the border and go after the U.S.-allied Kurdish fighters, Nebenzia added, �I think that�s the best antidote for them against any possible bad developments that might take place.�

Nebenzia said former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice voiced his answer to the question of why Russia is in Syria: �The only reason Russia is present in Syria is to prevent another Libya, and that is true.�

He said �Syria was a hotbed of the terrorist caliphate� established by Islamic State extremists, and �our aim was not to let them flourish there� and to restore Syria�s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Nebenzia said the greatest threat in today�s world is not Russia, China, North Korea and Iran as the U.S. national security strategy claims but terrorism � and what�s needed most is �a true coalition to fight international terrorism.�

Responding to questions about Trump�s decision to cut the U.S. force in Afghanistan in half, Nebenzia said: �Afghanistan is one country that demonstrated to the whole world that it�s impossible to defeat.�

�That was demonstrated by the British.That was demonstrated by the Soviets and now it�s the turn of the Americans,� he said.

Nebenzia said it �looks like there�s no military solution, and the understanding of that is gaining momentum.�

The government and the Taliban will have to talk to each other, he said, stressing that �the Taliban is part of Afghan society � you can�t write them off.�

(AP)