Riyadh: Following the agreement between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump to step up contacts to discuss international issues and bilateral agenda, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov held talks in Riyadh with a US delegation represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
In today’s meeting, the participants discussed a broad range of issues, including prospects for normalising bilateral relations. The sides agreed to appoint respective ambassadors as soon as possible and to start consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers to remove restrictions on activities of the diplomatic missions of the two countries. The sides agreed to establish a dialogue to identify ways to resume cooperation in the economy, including energy, outer space exploration, and other areas of mutual interest.
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that President Trump wants to stop the killing; the United States wants peace and is using its strength in the world to bring countries together. “President Trump is the only leader in the world who can get Ukraine and Russia to agree to that,” he claimed.
The sides exchanged views on the situation surrounding Ukraine and reiterated their mutual commitment to settle the conflict. The Russian side emphasised the importance of eliminating the root causes of the conflict, creating proper conditions for achieving a lasting and enduring peace, and ensuring the security and legitimate interests of all countries in the region. An agreement was reached to continue joint work in this area through special envoys to be appointed in the near future.
Bruce said the two sides agreed to:
- Establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants to our bilateral relationship with the objective of taking steps necessary to normalize the operation of our respective diplomatic missions.
- Appoint respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides.
- Lay the groundwork for future cooperation on matters of mutual geopolitical interest and historic economic and investment opportunities which will emerge from a successful end to the conflict in Ukraine.
- The parties to today’s meetings pledge to remain engaged to make sure the process moves forward in a timely and productive manner.
The Russian foreign office added that both sides agreed to resume communication channels to discuss other international issues, being mindful of Russia and the United States’ special responsibility in matters of peace and security as nuclear powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council. The interest in continuing joint work to prepare the meeting between the Russian and American presidents was confirmed.
During their stay in Riyadh, Sergey Lavrov and Yury Ushakov were welcomed by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. They expressed gratitude for the excellent organisation of Russia-US talks. The participants discussed matters related to implementing the agreements on the comprehensive expansion of bilateral relations reached by President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The US also thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
– global bihari bureau
