Russia: The first discussion with the American side is difficult, but practical

LAST UPDATE 23:58

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters that the preliminary talks with his American counterpart Wendy Sherman in Geneva today were “complicated but practical”, as reported by Russian agencies.

When asked how the preliminary meeting went, the Russian deputy minister answered “amazingly”.

“The discussion was difficult, but practical. We dealt immediately with the issue of the forthcoming talks. I believe we will not waste time tomorrow. I never lose my optimism, it always leads me,” Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Interfax. his first contact with Sherman ahead of their official meeting tomorrow.

Formal talks between the US and Russia are scheduled to begin tomorrow Monday in Geneva.

This will be followed by the NATO-Russia summit on Wednesday in Brussels and the next meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna.

The aim is to escalate tensions following the gathering of thousands of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine, which raises fears of a possible Russian invasion of the neighboring country.

State Department: US will not address security issues without European allies

“US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman” reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the international principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the freedom of sovereign states to choose their alliances, “the State Department said in a statement.

“The United States would welcome sincere progress through diplomacy. The United States will discuss some bilateral issues with Russia in the Strategic Stability Dialogue (SSD) tomorrow, but will not address European security issues without its European allies and partners,” she said. us, “said Ned Price, a State Department spokesman.

Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ