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.
Armenia heads to the polls on 7 June in a key parliamentary vote seen as a test of its democratic reforms and political direction since 2018. Prime Mi...
The U.S. plans to seek the redirection of Iranian assets to Gulf states to help fund reconstruction and repairs for damage attributed to Iran, a sourc...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships ...
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said....
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is di...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
For about three decades after the Soviet collapse, Armenia anchored its foreign and security policy to Moscow.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said Russian forces attacked two civilian search and rescue vessels operating in Ukrainian waters on Saturday, leaving several people injured.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
Armenia heads to the polls on 7 June in a key parliamentary vote seen as a test of its democratic reforms and political direction since 2018. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is seeking re-election amid domestic polarisation, security challenges and regional diplomatic tensions.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said Russian forces attacked two civilian search and rescue vessels operating in Ukrainian waters on Saturday, leaving several people injured.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment