Lavrov and Rubio discuss Istanbul talks – Moscow

The Russian foreign minister has welcomed the “positive role” the US played in getting Kiev to the negotiating table

The top Russian and US diplomats have shared their assessments of the Istanbul talks in a phone call, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said. Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio welcomed the negotiations and underscored the readiness of the sides to work together toward peace in the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, according to the ministry.

The conversation took place on Saturday at the initiative of the US, according to the statement. Rubio welcomed the agreements reached by the Russian and Ukrainian delegations during the talks on Friday and affirmed Washington’s readiness to support the settlement process.

Lavrov praised the “positive role” America played in bringing Kiev to the negotiating table and agreeing to resume the Istanbul peace process. He also expressed Moscow’s readiness to work with Washington on this.

In addition, Lavrov and Rubio discussed other international and regional issues, as well as Russia-US bilateral contacts, the ministry said, without providing further details.

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