CAPE CANAVERAL (Florida, USA) – Dmitry Baklanov, the head of Roscosmos, has announced that Sean Duffy, the acting director of NASA, expressed a strong desire to continue collaborative efforts during their recent meeting.
“We discussed strategic opportunities to maintain cooperation, despite all the existing tensions. Most importantly, he conveyed his wish for our collaboration not to cease,” Baklanov told Russian journalists.
According to Baklanov, the outcomes of this contact will be reported to the Russian leadership, while Duffy is expected to inform the White House.
Baklanov emphasized the critical importance of staying in touch, even during the most challenging periods. “Direct communication simplifies decision-making. I must reiterate that, as you understand, not many might be expecting us at such a time. He (Duffy) personally expressed a desire for periodic face-to-face meetings to ensure our projects do not falter but continue to advance,” stated the head of Roscosmos.
He described the dialogue with NASA leadership as “absolutely normal.” “We all understand the times we live in, but nonetheless, Sean articulated that he also recognizes the full extent of responsibility regarding these projects—they cannot be lost or halted. He comprehends this. Political decisions will follow. At the technical level, Roscosmos, as a technological partner, will work very reliably and exert maximum effort to avoid interrupting our contacts and to develop projects.
We will also attempt to jointly discuss an additional series of projects. But again, I state: by November, we will prepare an agenda and arrive at some joint decisions,” Baklanov concluded.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth