Russia, U.S. representatives to meet again within two weeks, senior Russian diplomat says
A second meeting between representatives of Russia and the United States is planned for the next two weeks, the RIA state news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Moscow and Washington held their first talks on ending the nearly three-year war on Tuesday, aimed at restoring relations and preparing to conclude the conflict.
The meeting will take place in a third country, and the specific location is being agreed upon, Ryabkov told RIA in an interview, without naming who would attend from the Russian or American sides.
Ryabkov said there was “principled agreement” on both sides to hold consultations to work out “the entire block of so-called irritants.”
“There is also an understanding that the round at the deputy level will be preceded by a consultative contact of the directors of the relevant departments. And their meeting may take place in the range of the next two weeks,” he said.
The Kremlin said this week that a face-to-face meeting between President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump was possible this month. Both men have said they want to meet.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump’s administration said it had agreed to hold more talks with Russia on ending the conflict with Ukraine after an initial meeting that excluded Kyiv.
As the 4-1/2-hour meeting in the Saudi capital was underway, Russia hardened its demands, notably insisting it would not tolerate the NATO alliance granting membership to Ukraine.
Afterwards, Trump said he was more confident after the talks and he would probably meet with Putin before the end of the month.
“Russia wants to do something,” Trump told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida. He brushed aside Ukraine’s concern about being left out of the meeting and said Kyiv should have entered talks much earlier.
“I think I have the power to end this war,” said Trump.
The talks in Riyadh were the first time U.S. and Russian officials met to discuss ways to halt the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two. Ukraine has said it will not accept any deal imposed without its consent, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated, “There must be no decision over the heads of Ukraine.”
