Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement following talks with US administration officials

Photo: MFA

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement following talks with US administration officials, Riyadh, February 18, 2025:

“We wish to extend our gratitude to the Saudi Arabian leadership for facilitating a meeting between Russian and American representatives. This appreciation was conveyed personally to the Kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an audience attended by Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and myself.

Our discussion, spanning roughly an hour, focused on our bilateral relations and the importance of ensuring, if not full consensus (which is unattainable), then at least the preparedness of major powers to sustain a normal, professional dialogue under any circumstances. This entails listening to one another, learning from ongoing events, and averting conflicts and crises.

This stance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was, in essence, mirrored in our negotiations with the American delegation. At the commencement of the discussion, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the fundamental importance of each nation being guided by its national interests in international relations. We fully concurred with this, along with the understanding that these national interests will not always coincide. However, when they diverge, it is essential to manage these differences, not leave them to chance, and certainly not incite confrontations, whether military or otherwise.

Where national interests overlap, every effort should be made to harness these areas and undertake mutually advantageous projects in the geopolitical and economic realms.

The dialogue was highly fruitful. We not only listened but also understood each other. I am confident that the American side has gained a clearer understanding of our position, which we reiterated in detail, drawing on numerous statements by President of Russia Vladimir Putin and supported by specific examples.

Concerning the agreements reached: firstly, and perhaps most urgently and relatively straightforward, is to ensure the prompt appointment of ambassadors of Russia to the United States and of the United States to Russia. Furthermore, to dismantle the hurdles that have been erected over many years, primarily by the Biden administration in the past four years, which have considerably obstructed the work of our diplomatic missions: the incessant expulsions of our diplomats, to which we were obliged to respond, the ongoing issues with the seizure of our property, and much more.

Not least among these issues are the attempts to restrict our banking transactions. Naturally, we have reciprocated. We agreed that our deputies will soon convene a meeting to assess the need for removing these artificial barriers in the operations of embassies and other foreign missions of Russia in the United States and of the United States in Russia. Moreover, they will endeavour not to focus on any specific manifestation of these obstacles but rather to approach the matter systematically, aiming to eliminate these inconveniences once and for all, which genuinely impede the development of normal, day-to-day relations.

The second arrangement: we have agreed that a “process for Ukrainian settlement” will be initiated shortly. The American side will inform us who will represent Washington in this endeavour. Upon learning the name and position of the designated representative, as President of Russia Vladimir Putin advised President of the United States Donald Trump, we will immediately appoint our participant in this process.

Thirdly, in a broad conceptual sense, as the processes related to resolving the crisis in Ukraine advance, we will concurrently establish conditions for our cooperation to resume in full and expand across various domains.

There is considerable interest (which we share) in resuming consultations on geopolitical issues, including various conflicts in different regions where both the United States and Russia have vested interests.

A strong interest has been expressed in removing artificial barriers to the development of mutually advantageous economic cooperation. Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev participated in today’s discussion of the economic facets of our meeting. He outlined certain issues that could be resolved swiftly to the benefit of both Russia and the United States.”

Press release Russian MFA on Russia-US consultations.

In accordance with the agreement between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump to step up contacts to discuss international issues and bilateral agenda, on February 18, 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.

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.

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 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.

The 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 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 comprehensive expansion of bilateral relations reached by President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

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