In accordance with the agreement of Russian President Putin and US President Trump to intensify contacts on international issues and bilateral agenda, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Ushakov held talks with a US delegation in Riyadh on February 18. This is stated in a statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

It also notes:

“A wide range of issues were discussed, including prospects for normalization of bilateral relations. The parties agreed to appoint ambassadors as soon as possible and start consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers to eliminate restrictions on the activities of diplomatic missions of the two countries. The sides agreed to establish a dialogue to agree on ways to resume cooperation in the economy, including energy, space and other areas of mutual interest.

The sides exchanged views on the situation around Ukraine. The sides reaffirmed their mutual willingness to settle the conflict. The Russian side emphasized the need to eliminate its root causes, to create conditions for lasting and long-term peace, to ensure security and legitimate interests of all countries in the region. An agreement was reached to continue joint work in this area through special representatives, who will be identified in the near future.

The sides agreed to resume communication channels on other international issues, taking into account the special responsibility of Russia and the United States in peace and security issues as nuclear powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council. Interest in continuing joint work on the preparation of the meeting between the Russian and American presidents was confirmed.