Russian-American delegations conclude 4.5-hour negotiations in Riyadh: details
Negotiations between the Russian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, have ended. They lasted about 4.5 hours.
According to the Russian leader's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, who participated in the negotiations, they went "not bad," Russia and the United States allegedly agreed to consider each other's interests.
At the same time, he noted that "it is difficult to say yet" that the Russian Federation and the United States are getting closer, but this was allegedly discussed during the meeting. The delegations also had an "earnest conversation on all issues."
Ushakov also commented on reports in Western media that a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin could take place in Saudi Arabia next week. In his opinion, this is unlikely to happen next week.
The United States, in turn, wants to stop the killings and is using its power in the world to unite countries, said US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce after the talks.
She said President Trump was the only world leader who could get Ukraine and Russia to agree to this.
Bruce told Reuters that during the talks, the parties agreed to establish a consultation mechanism "to remove irritants" in Russian-American bilateral relations and normalize the work of diplomatic missions.
The United States and Russia should also appoint "high-level teams" to begin work on ending the war in Ukraine as soon as possible and achieving a peace that is "lasting, sustainable and acceptable to all parties."
They agreed to lay the foundation for future cooperation "on issues of mutual geopolitical interest, as well as historic economic and investment opportunities that will arise as a result of a successful conclusion to the conflict in Ukraine."
Meanwhile, one of the Russian negotiators, Kirill Dmitriev, told Reuters that US and Russian officials had separately discussed economic cooperation, particularly on global energy prices.
According to him, it is too early to discuss compromises, but both sides say they "have begun to listen to each other, treat each other with respect and as equals."
According to him, Russia and the United States "need to move on to joint projects, including in the Arctic." He accused the former Biden administration of "lacking the desire to understand Russia's concerns." He said, "the United States is now ready to listen and understand Russia's position."
In general, the Russian Federation believes that "progress" in negotiations with the United States is possible in the next 2-3 months, as stated by the general director of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev.
For reference:
Negotiations between delegations of the United States and the Russian Federation began on February 18 in Saudi Arabia. The parties planned to discuss economic cooperation and "the issue of the Ukrainian settlement."
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Vladimir Putin's assistant Yuri Ushakov flew from the Russian Federation to Riyadh to meet with representatives of the United States.
Ukraine was not invited to the talks in Saudi Arabia. Still, the United States intends to hold a bilateral meeting with Russia, then a bilateral meeting with Ukraine, and then joint negotiations.
The plans of the US presidential administration include reaching an agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine by Easter, which will be celebrated on April 20.
At the same time, Kellogg stated that no one would impose a peace agreement on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing that Ukraine would make the decision.
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