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But Sergei Ryabkov hopes the super powers can improve relations under US President Donald Trump who will “create a window of opportunity”. Russia is set to analyse Mr Trump's debut
address to Congress later on Tuesday for signs of any change in the US stance. Mr Ryabko told Parliament: “It will be important to analyse those signals and approaches which will be a part
of Trump's first appearance as the head of a superpower. "It would be desirable to believe that changes in Washington will create a window of opportunity for an improvement of a
dialogue between our countries." In Washington, Mr Trump's critics have already accused the business tycoon of getting too close to Vladimir Putin. A US congressional committee is
investigating contacts between Mr Trump's election campaign and Russia to see if there were any inappropriate communications. Mr Trump is thought to be hellbent on improving relations
between the two Cold War rivals, which had deteriorated under Barack Obama’s administration. The US President vowed to improve ties with Russia and suggested he may lift the sanctions on
Moscow if Mr Putin supports America in the fight against terrorism. The Russian leader is also believed to be eager to turn over a new leaf and congratulated Mr Trump in his New Year
message, saying he hopes Russia and the US would be able to "take their interaction in the international arena to a whole new level." Mr Ryabkov said Russia had not discussed with
Washington the sanctions imposed over the annexation of Crimea, but said it would be easier for to work with the US on the Syria crisis if they were lifted. He added: "We did not
discuss and we do not discuss criteria for the lifting of sanctions. Restrictions in a number of areas are of course affecting us, but no more than the damage they cause to American
exports.”