Blinken and Lavrov Confirmed the Readiness of the United States and Russia to Cooperate

The meeting of the heads of diplomatic departments took place against the background of escalating tensions in US-Russian relations In Reykjavik, on the sidelines of an Arctic Council meeting, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met on Wednesday evening, Reuters reported. The meeting took place against the backdrop of escalating tensions in US-Russian relations. Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the talks, Blinken and Lavrov stressed that while the US and Russia have differences, they must work together on some issues. Addressing reporters, Secretary of State Blinken noted that the differences between Washington and Moscow "are not a secret to anyone," and warned that the United States would react to Russia's aggressive actions, but stressed that the whole world would feel safer if the authorities both countries will work together. Sergei Lavrov agreed that Russia and the United States have "serious differences", however, in his opinion, they should cooperate "in areas where our interests intersect." The first high-level talks between the top American diplomat and his Russian counterpart lasted one hour and 45 minutes, taking longer than expected. Lavrov said the talks were "constructive," according to Russian state media reports, adding that he and Secretary of State Blinken would prepare proposals for a possible meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. A press release from State Department spokesman Ned Price, released at the end of the talks, did not mention a possible summit. According to Ned Price, Blinken during the talks raised the issue of the release of US citizens Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed, who are now in Russian prisons. The secretary of state also expressed concern about the increase in the number of Russian troops on the borders with Ukraine, and said that the United States was concerned about the health of Alexei Navalny, an opposition politician and critic of the regime, who was sentenced to imprisonment. According to Reuters, 30 minutes after the start of negotiations in Reykjavik, the United States imposed sanctions on several ships and organizations involved in the construction of the $ 11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline. President Biden has repeatedly opposed the project, calling it a "bad deal" for Europe. However, at the same time, the Biden administration lifted the sanctions imposed on the German company Nord Stream 2 AG, which is behind the gas pipeline project, and its CEO Matthias Warnig and other top managers of the company. Lavrov did not answer journalists' questions about the sanctions. Shortly before the announcement by the State Department, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that lifting some of the sanctions would help normalize relations between Moscow and Washington. Lavrov, summarizing Russia's position on the United States, described it as "very simple." "We are ready to discuss all issues, without exception, on the understanding that this discussion will be honest, with facts on the table and, of course, on a mutually respectful basis," Russian news agency TASS reported, citing Lavrov. Relations between the United States and Russia deteriorated in March after President Joe Biden agreed in an interview with a journalist's assertion that President Putin was an assassin. The Russian ambassador to the United States was recalled to Moscow "for consultations" and has not yet returned to Washington. Russia is ready to resolve issues left over from the actions of the previous US administration, Lavrov added, referring to the presidency of Donald Trump. Blinken said President Biden wants "a predictable, stable relationship with Russia," and stressed that the two countries can work together to counter the coronavirus pandemic, tackle climate change, address Iran's and North Korea's nuclear programs, and conflict. in Afghanistan. “We think it's good for our people, good for the Russian people and really good for the whole world,” Blinken said. Secretary of State Blinken and Minister Lavrov held their first high-level personal talks in preparation for the summit between President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. As Russian media reported recently, the summit may be held in Switzerland. Earlier, a US foreign policy official said that the meeting between Blinken and Lavrov in Reykjavik would provide an opportunity to discuss the establishment of "more predictable relations with Russia" and work in areas in which the two countries have common interests.