MOSCOW
Talks between Russia and the US on improving ties as well as the Ukraine war —the first such talks in years— concluded after 4 and a half hours, Russian state media reported Tuesday.
Speaking at a media briefing on the sidelines of the meeting in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, which was broadcast live on Russian television, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said the negotiations were productive, with Moscow and Washington agreeing to consider each other’s interests.
“We had a very serious conversation about all the issues that we wanted to address. We agreed that we would consider each other’s interests. But at the same time, we should also promote bilateral relations, since both Moscow and Washington are interested in this,” he said.
A date for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, has yet to be determined, however, and it is unlikely to take place next week, said Ushakov.
“The delegations of the two countries need to work closely together. We are ready for this (meeting), but it is still difficult to talk about a specific date for the meeting of the two leaders,” he noted.
The two sides also agreed to form working groups on Ukraine. While the number of members and specific participants have yet to be decided, both parties want to establish contacts quickly, he added.
At the same time, it would be premature to talk about rapprochement, the official remarked.
Talks between Russia and the US to mend relations, address the conflict in Ukraine, and prepare a meeting between their presidents marked the first meeting between diplomats of the two countries since the Ukraine war began on Feb. 24, 2022.
