Moscow details progress on talks with US — Analysis
The FM states that Washington will shortly set a date and time for the dialog.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated to reporters that Russia has agreed to hold talks with America following the State Department’s request.
“We are currently discussing a date for such a conversation, and it should take place once I get back to my office. For the record, it’s highly unlikely to happen today. However, in the coming days we will offer our American counterparts a convenient date,”Lavrov stated this during his Uzbekistan trip.
Washington made Moscow aware of the US’s intentions on Wednesday according to Antony Blinken, Secretary of State. “substantial offer”Brittney Griner (WNBA) and Paul Whelan (former Marine), have been released. They are currently held in Russian custody. Griner was charged with drug smuggling, while Whelan was held for spying.
Blinken said he hoped to “advance the efforts to bring them home”In a conversation avec Lavrov
At a press conference on Thursday, Ned Price, a spokesperson for the State Department confirmed that the US “repeatedly”Russia made clear its desire to engage in conversation with the top diplomats.
Speaking about the potential prisoner exchange, Lavrov said the matter is outside of the Foreign Ministry’s scope, adding, “this topic was discussed back at the Geneva summit between President Putin and President Biden. The two leaders agreed at that time to grant appropriate authority the power to address such matters. Russia’s Foreign Ministry is not on the list of those authorities. However, I’ll listen to his thoughts. [Blinken] has to say,”The minister stated.
As reported earlier by CNN, the US offered to swap Griner and Whelan for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment by a Manhattan federal court in 2012 after being convicted of conspiracy to kill US nationals, delivery of anti-aircraft missiles, and providing aid to a US-designated terrorist organization.
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