The United States and Russia have agreed to address outstanding issues concerning their diplomatic missions "once and for all," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday following high-level talks in the Saudi capital. Describing the discussions as "very useful," Lavrov noted that both sides have started to "listen and hear each other," marking a shift in tone amid prolonged tensions between Moscow and Washington. As part of the agreement, Russia and the US have committed to appointing ambassadors in each other's capitals as soon as possible while working to remove barriers affecting the operations of their respective embassies. The talks, which aimed at normalizing diplomatic activities, also covered the ongoing war in Ukraine, broader geopolitical challenges, and the potential easing of restrictions hindering economic cooperation. Lavrov confirmed that both nations would strive to create conditions for a full resumption of diplomatic engagement. He further revealed that Washington will soon appoint a representative for negotiations on the Ukraine conflict, with Moscow expected to name its counterpart shortly afterward. However, he cautioned that while there is some mutual understanding, it does not mean the two countries are aligned on all issues. Addressing speculation about a supposed three-point Ukraine peace plan, Lavrov dismissed the reports, stating that US officials also rejected the claim as false. Moscow reiterated its firm stance that Ukraine's NATO membership would pose a direct threat to Russia's security. Lavrov also disclosed that the US proposed a moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine, but Moscow declined the offer. Additionally, he underscored that Russia considers the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine unacceptable. Despite significant disagreements, Lavrov acknowledged a shared willingness between Moscow and Washington to "move forward," describing the discussions as a step toward restoring diplomatic channels. The meeting, held nearly three years after the Ukraine war began on Feb. 24, 2022, marked the first direct talks between senior US and Russian officials since the conflict erupted. The Russian delegation was led by Lavrov and included presidential aide Yury Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. On the US side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio headed the delegation, accompanied by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Steve Witkoff, special envoy for the Middle East. The talks also attended by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Musaad Al-Aiban, as part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to bridge differences between Washington and Moscow. — Agencies
