Washington stated that it wanted to have a dialogue between Antony Blinken, Russian State Secretary, and Sergey Lavrov.
Moscow acknowledged that Washington called it on Thursday. A conversation between the two nation’s top diplomats might take place as soon as the busy schedule of Russia’s top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov, makes it possible, the Foreign Ministry said.
Lavrov will “pay attention to this request when time permits,” the ministry’s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, told journalists, referring to Washington’s request for a phone conversation between Lavrov and US State Secretary Antony Blinken.
Ned Price, a spokesperson from the State Department stated at a briefing on Thursday that the US “made it clear to the Russian Federation that we are seeking a conversation between State Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Lavrov.”
Russia was informed of the request. “directly”“repeatedly,”Price stated. US anticipates two of its top diplomats to join the country. “have an opportunity to speak in the coming days,”He added.
However, the State Department spokesperson admitted that he did not know. “no update”Add that they are open to discussing possible dates. “continue to discuss that in the appropriate channels.”
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Russia responds in kind to US prisoner swap offers
Zakharova claimed that Russian Foreign Minister is at the moment “has a busy schedule with international contacts,”It will include a ministerial summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and some bilateral meetings.
US will use this call to continue its follow-up on the US’s “substantial proposal”The release of Brittney Griner, a basketball player, was charged with drug smuggling and Paul Whelan has been held on suspicion of spying.
Blinken spoke to journalists Wednesday saying he hopes he can. “advance the efforts to bring them home”In an interview with Lavrov. CNN reported earlier that the US may be open to trading the spy and sportsman for Viktor Bout (Russian arms dealer), who was sentenced in 2012 to 25 years imprisonment in America after being accused of conspiring with to murder US citizens and arming terrorist groups.
Blinken didn’t confirm the report, and he never named Bout in his press conference, despite being directly asked about him. He replied that he just wanted to “to make sure that the proposal that we put forward has a good chance to advance.”Moscow responded saying no progress had been made in negotiations for swapping prisoner with the US. It also stated that it was important to respect the rights of each side during these talks.
