Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for Russia and the United States to repair the damage left by the Biden administration, which he accused of destroying the foundations of long-term cooperation between the two nations.
Speaking before Russia’s State Duma, Lavrov stressed that before serious dialogue on security and strategic stability can take place, both sides must overcome past tensions.
This was reported by the Tass news agency.
Resetting US-Russia Relations?
Lavrov’s statement come shortly after high-level talks between Russian and American officials in Riyadh on February 18.
The 4.5-hour meeting is the first official diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Washington since President Donald Trump returned to office.
The Russian delegation, led by Lavrov, included Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
On the US side, the meeting was attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steven Witkoff.
Lavrov characterized the discussions as “very constructive”, adding that both nations agreed to speed up the process of appointing ambassadors to their respective capitals — a signal that diplomatic ties may soon normalize after years of strained relations.
Talks on Security and Ukraine
According to Ushakov, the Riyadh meeting covered a broad range of topics, including potential US-Russia security agreements and diplomatic coordination on Ukraine.
While specific details remain unclear, both sides reportedly aligned their positions on some issues, suggesting that further negotiations may follow.
Despite this diplomatic opening, deep divisions remain.
The Biden administration imposed harsh sanctions on Russia, provided military aid to Ukraine, and repeatedly condemned Moscow’s actions on the global stage.
