Maria Zakharova/RIA Novosti
MINSK, 10 March (BelTA) - There are no plans to hold another round of Russia-U.S. talks in Saudi Arabia this week, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told the media, TASS reports.
"There are no such plans," the Russian diplomat said in response to a question. "Moreover, we haven't received any information from the US regarding the matter," she added.
CNN reported, citing sources, that another meeting between the United States and Russia could take place in Saudi Arabia later in the week.
Moscow and Washington increased communication after the 12 February telephone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump of the United States. On 18 February, high-level Russian and U.S. delegations met in Riyadh. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after the meeting that the parties had agreed to appoint each other’s ambassadors as soon as possible and remove years-long obstacles impeding the operation of Russia’s diplomatic missions. Russian and US diplomats and experts discussed issues facing both embassies at a meeting in Istanbul on 27 February.
The U.S. representatives and the Ukrainian delegation expected to meet in Saudi Arabia on 11 March. Trump expressed optimism about the talks. “We're going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week,” he said. Citing its sources Reuters reported that U.S. officials were planning to use the meeting with the Ukrainians in part to determine whether Kiev is willing to make material concessions to Russia to end the war. The U.S. delegation will also be watching for signs that the Ukrainians are serious about improving ties with the Trump administration after a meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky devolved into an argument in February.
CNN reported, citing sources, that another meeting between the United States and Russia could take place in Saudi Arabia later in the week.
Moscow and Washington increased communication after the 12 February telephone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump of the United States. On 18 February, high-level Russian and U.S. delegations met in Riyadh. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after the meeting that the parties had agreed to appoint each other’s ambassadors as soon as possible and remove years-long obstacles impeding the operation of Russia’s diplomatic missions. Russian and US diplomats and experts discussed issues facing both embassies at a meeting in Istanbul on 27 February.
The U.S. representatives and the Ukrainian delegation expected to meet in Saudi Arabia on 11 March. Trump expressed optimism about the talks. “We're going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week,” he said. Citing its sources Reuters reported that U.S. officials were planning to use the meeting with the Ukrainians in part to determine whether Kiev is willing to make material concessions to Russia to end the war. The U.S. delegation will also be watching for signs that the Ukrainians are serious about improving ties with the Trump administration after a meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky devolved into an argument in February.
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