Preparations for the second meeting in Istanbul on the normalisation of bilateral ties between Russia and the United States are underway, said Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
During a press briefing in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov did not provide a specific date for the meeting. However, he referred to President Vladimir Putin, who had requested a briefing from him and Defense Minister Andrey Belousov on Tuesday regarding the progress of talks with the US on the Ukraine issue.
Lavrov emphasized that Russia and the US are currently focused on three key issues: seeking a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine - addressing a moratorium on strikes targeting energy infrastructure plus restoring the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and removing "irritants" in bilateral ties.
According to Russia's top diplomat, these "irritants" are severely hindering the operations of the Russian embassy in Washington and the U.S. embassy in Moscow.
He stated, "A meeting was held in Istanbul, and preparations are underway for a second one. In the meantime, communication continues through phone calls and video conferences."
Lavrov emphasized that the "embassy issues" have been ongoing since the Barack Obama administration (2009-2017), just prior to the start of the Trump administration's first term.
Citing Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Russian FM stated that Ukraine violated the moratorium on strikes targeting energy facilities agreed upon at the suggestion of President Trump on March 18 during the telephone call between the President of Russia and the President of the United States.
"The moratorium is not being observed. All this time, the energy facilities of the Russian Federation have been coming under attacks with occasional short breaks of one to two days between them. Defence Minister Belousov listed the facilities targeted by Ukrainian drones over the period under review, including last night," - Lavrov said and added that the Russian army is observing the moratorium.
Russia has sent the list of violations to United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and to its representatives at the UN and the OSCE "so that they can present concrete evidence about what the word of the current Ukrainian authorities is worth, if you can call them authorities at all."
In addition, President Putin was updated on talks with the United States regarding "revivification, resumption, and resuscitation of the grain Black Sea Initiative" that was on the agenda of Riyadh meeting on 24th March.
"We highly appreciated - President Putin supported this assessment - the United States’ willingness to assist in removing the obstacles created by the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on Russian grain and fertilizer exports. These sanctions have contributed to tensions in global markets and caused difficulties for developing countries, which have faced limited access to food and fertilizer," - Lavrov stated and added that Moscow put forward specific proposals on how this could be done in practice.
Finland is ramping up security along its eastern border, warning of a potential Russian troop buildup once the war in Ukraine ends. The development comes as Helsinki continues to bolster its border security with a new fence aimed at deterring hybrid threats.
Russia has voiced serious concern over the U.S. Golden Dome defense initiative, a $175 billion project aimed at countering threats from China and Russia.
The Kremlin, asked on Thursday about a planned prisoner of war swap with Ukraine of 1,000 captives each, said that work was underway, and that each side wants to complete the exchange as quickly as possible.
Polish authorities are investigating whether explosive devices were planted near a critical undersea power cable linking Poland and Sweden, following suspicious activity by a Russian “shadow fleet” vessel in the area, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday.
Iran’s parliament on Wednesday ratified a 20-year strategic cooperation agreement with Russia, a move that signals deeper military and economic alignment between the two countries.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has travelled to Rome to take part in the fifth round of indirect nuclear talks with the US, mediated by Oman.
A private jet carrying music industry professionals, including renowned talent agent Dave Shapiro, crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday, killing all six people on board and setting off a firestorm that destroyed a home, scorched vehicles.
Severe floods in southeast Australia have left four dead and tens of thousands stranded, as authorities warn of ongoing dangers and climate impacts.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called on US President Donald Trump to end tariffs on Japanese goods, as both sides prepare for key trade talks amid hopes of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.
In a move with sweeping consequences for higher education,the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, escalating its ongoing conflict with the Ivy League institution and raising serious questions about the future of thousands of foreign school.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
In a region long defined by conflict and complex history, AnewZ set out to hear the voices that matter most- those of the people.
ietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has ordered the country’s telecommunications providers to block access to the messaging platform Telegram.
The United States will impose sanctions on Sudan following a formal determination that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons during its ongoing war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the State Department announced Thursday.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced Thursday that more than 50 individuals have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to sabotage the country’s regional and parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday, May 25.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has travelled to Rome to take part in the fifth round of indirect nuclear talks with the US, mediated by Oman.
A private jet carrying music industry professionals, including renowned talent agent Dave Shapiro, crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday, killing all six people on board and setting off a firestorm that destroyed a home, scorched vehicles.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has travelled to Rome to take part in the fifth round of indirect nuclear talks with the US, mediated by Oman.
A private jet carrying music industry professionals, including renowned talent agent Dave Shapiro, crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego early Thursday, killing all six people on board and setting off a firestorm that destroyed a home, scorched vehicles.
Severe floods in southeast Australia have left four dead and tens of thousands stranded, as authorities warn of ongoing dangers and climate impacts.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called on US President Donald Trump to end tariffs on Japanese goods, as both sides prepare for key trade talks amid hopes of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.
In a move with sweeping consequences for higher education,the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, escalating its ongoing conflict with the Ivy League institution and raising serious questions about the future of thousands of foreign school.
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