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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with U.S. officials in Washington on Wednesday as the Trump administration continues to press Russia and Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said.
A missile attack on Kryvyi Rih on 2 April has left several casualties and significant damage, with local authorities now investigating the cause and impact of the strike. The attack, which targeted a company in the city, has raised concerns about the ongoing security situation.
Russia, the world's second-largest oil exporter, on Wednesday imposed restrictions on another major oil export route, suspending a mooring at the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk only a day after restricting loadings from a key Caspian pipeline.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Wednesday of violating a U.S.-brokered moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure, raising fresh concerns over the durability of the limited truce agreed last month as a potential stepping stone toward a full ceasefire.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on Wednesday, as both nations looked to deepen their strategic partnership and navigate rising global tensions through renewed diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Belgium has warned that newly announced U.S. import tariffs could weaken its economic growth, even as Washington presses allies to ramp up defence spending.
The EU is preparing countermeasures after Trump’s sweeping tariffs, set to impose a 10% minimum duty on imports and 20% on EU goods. European leaders warn of economic fallout as trade ministers plan next steps, with talks critical to avoiding a trade war.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has strongly condemned the newly announced US tariffs, warning that they could trigger an economic downturn, lead to a global recession, and disrupt international trade.
Shares in Nike, Adidas, and Puma fell sharply after the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia, key sourcing hubs. The move raises concerns over rising costs and supply chain disruptions, adding fresh uncertainty to global markets.
Turkiye’s annual inflation dropped to 38.1% in March, below forecasts, offering slight relief amid economic pressures. Monthly inflation rose 2.46%, while producer prices surged 23.5% annually. Experts remain cautious as currency fluctuations pose future risks.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has strongly condemned the newly announced US tariffs, warning that they could trigger an economic downturn, lead to a global recession, and disrupt international trade.
NATO allied jets are conduct complex multi-domain operations during Ramstein Flag 25 (RAFL25), supported by seven air-to-air refuelling assets from Canada, France, Italy, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Tornadoes and severe storms ripped through the South and Midwest on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple states as forecasters warned of continued life-threatening weather through the weekend.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced that Belgrade and Budapest are working towards establishing a comprehensive military alliance, following the signing of a document on Serbian-Hungarian strategic defence cooperation.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Belgium has warned that newly announced U.S. import tariffs could weaken its economic growth, even as Washington presses allies to ramp up defence spending.
The EU is preparing countermeasures after Trump’s sweeping tariffs, set to impose a 10% minimum duty on imports and 20% on EU goods. European leaders warn of economic fallout as trade ministers plan next steps, with talks critical to avoiding a trade war.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has strongly condemned the newly announced US tariffs, warning that they could trigger an economic downturn, lead to a global recession, and disrupt international trade.
Shares in Nike, Adidas, and Puma fell sharply after the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia, key sourcing hubs. The move raises concerns over rising costs and supply chain disruptions, adding fresh uncertainty to global markets.
Turkiye’s annual inflation dropped to 38.1% in March, below forecasts, offering slight relief amid economic pressures. Monthly inflation rose 2.46%, while producer prices surged 23.5% annually. Experts remain cautious as currency fluctuations pose future risks.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment