Memorial plaque on Manchester Street in LeningradWASHINGTON, Apr 16 The International Association of Sister Cities speaks for maintaining ties between the regions of the United States and Russia despite the difficult geopolitical situation, its honorary chairman Bill Boerum told RIA Novosti. «Our organization adheres to the rule of not interrupting relations due to political tensions,» RIA Novosti said representative of the association. The International Association of Sister Cities is based in the USA and unites more than 2,000 cities from 146 countries. They include about 70 Russian and 70 American cities, between which twinning relations have been established. The representative of the organization clarified that its rules do not require categorical implementation by its members and leave them the right to make independent decisions. In this regard, he expressed regret over the decision of the governors of the US states of Maryland and Iowa to suspend sister city relations with Russian regions. «They made that decision without consulting anyone,» the source said. According to him, meanwhile, local authorities have the opportunity to maintain relations, which are primarily the result of many years of cooperation between residents of the regions, without regard to the political situation. » />The United States recognized the inability to organize the energy embargo of Russia
