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Roscosmos Chief Pledges to Maintain Russia-US Space Cooperation
31 Jul
Summary
- Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov and acting NASA chief Sean Duffy hold first in-person talks since 2018
- Discussions focus on future of ISS, joint lunar programs, and continued space collaboration
- Bakanov says he will do his best to preserve cooperation channel between Russia and US
In a move that signals a potential thaw in space cooperation between Russia and the United States, the heads of their respective space agencies have held their first in-person talks since 2018. On July 31, 2025, Dmitry Bakanov, the Director General of Roscosmos, and Sean Duffy, the Acting Administrator of NASA, met to discuss the future of the International Space Station (ISS) and joint exploration of the Moon and deep space.
This high-level meeting comes against the backdrop of strained geopolitical relations between Moscow and Washington. However, Bakanov has pledged to do his utmost to preserve the channel of cooperation between the two countries in the realm of space exploration. During the talks, the two space chiefs are reported to have addressed the continued operation of the ISS, as well as potential collaborative efforts on lunar programs and deep space missions.
The last time the heads of Roscosmos and NASA held face-to-face discussions was in 2018. The resumption of these direct talks is seen as a positive step, indicating a willingness to maintain a constructive dialogue and find common ground in an area that has historically fostered international cooperation, even during periods of political tension.
