Roscosmos sees no immediate need to resume cross-flights with NASA

MOSCOW. March 27 (Interfax) - A decision on whether to resume cross-flights with NASA will be adopted after a response is received from Western partners to the proposal to lift sanctions on the Russian space sector, Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin said.

"Cross-flights are, indeed, an element of this cooperation [as part of the International Space Station project], but far from the main one. It is needed in the presence of good and kind relations. But when it is a situation where the U.S. acts as a sponsor of state terrorism against Russian people, against our fellow citizens... against our ultimate national interests, we cannot pretend that it is business as usual," Rogozin told reporters.

"There are certain steps that we have taken. I have sent letters and am now waiting for a reply. Depending on these responses, Roscosmos will suggest certain decisions to the government and the president which the Roscosmos State Corporation will insist upon," he said.