The Russian side would like to restore relations with the United States, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at the beginning of the meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“For our part, we have repeatedly said that we would also like to restore relations in full-format,” the Kremlin’s press service quoted Putin as saying.
The meeting between Putin and Pompeo took place in the residence Bocharov creek, located in Sochi. The event was also attended by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin, as well as Director of the North American Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Georgy Borisenko and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov.
In addition to Pompeo, the US delegation included the US ambassador to Russia, John Huntsman, the US special envoy for the Syrian settlement, James Jeffrey, as well as the US undersecretary of state Philip Ricker. The meeting began at 21:10 Moscow time and ended at 22:45.
Putin spoke about his impressions after a recent telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump. According to the Russian leader, the head of the White House may be set to restore ties with Moscow.
“I got the impression that the president (Trump. - RT ) is set to restore Russian-American relations, contacts, to jointly resolve issues of mutual interest to us,” said Putin.
In turn, Pompeo said that the United States and Russia have common interests and issues in which the parties can cooperate and work productively.
“We can work together to ensure that all our peoples live more successfully and the whole world in a general sense also succeeds. Therefore, President Trump asked me to come with this message to you, in order for me to talk more about some ideas, some projects, ”the Kremlin press service quotes Pompeo.
Confirmed interest
A breakthrough in relations between Russia and the United States is not yet felt, but a businesslike attitude has manifested itself. So described the results of the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, assistant Russian leader Yury Ushakov.
“No, no breakthrough is felt, of course, but a businesslike attitude has manifested itself from the American side,” said Ushakov. His words leads RIA News.
According to Ushakov, Putin and Pompeo confirmed an interest that could lead to an improvement in relations. An assistant to the Russian president called the conversation "substantive."
“It is confirmed that it is very important that the two parties are interested in starting a straightening of relations and gradually restoring communication channels,” said Ushakov.
He clarified that the conversation that lasted almost an hour and a half coincided in length with the telephone conversation between Putin and Trump, which took place earlier.
“The State Secretary, as we understand, came to continue the discussion of those points that were outlined during the aforementioned telephone conversation,” said Ushakov.
Speaking about the details of the conversation, he mentioned that the parties discussed issues on the bilateral agenda and international issues.
“Issues of strategic stability, issues of disarmament, non-proliferation dossier and topical regional problems”, - Ushakov cited examples of the topics touched upon.
In addition, the topic of a possible meeting between the Russian and American leaders at the G20 meeting in Japan was touched upon in the discussion. According to Ushakov, Moscow is open for possible contacts.
“They said that, as always, we are open to contacts of this kind and we will now expect from the Americans the concretization of the proposal that Trump made on this matter. Naturally, when we get specifics, we will respond in the most positive way, ”said the assistant to the Russian leader.
Following the talks, he added that Putin did not convey a personal message to Trump through Pompeo. In addition, the Russian leader and the head of the US Foreign Ministry did not discuss the situation in Ukraine and did not talk about the case of Michael Calvey, the founder of the Baring Vostok investment fund.
Putin and Trump talks
Recall Putin and Trump held lengthy telephone talks May 3, 2019. The head of the White House later said that he “had a great conversation” with the Russian leader.
“Yesterday we had a great telephone conversation with Russian President Putin. Great potential for good / excellent relations with Russia, despite what they say and write in the fake media. Suffice it to recall how you were misled about "collusion with Russia." The world can be better and safer, ”Trump wrote on Twitter.
In Moscow, they said that following the results of the dialogue, "a mutual spirit was confirmed to intensify the dialogue in various fields, including on issues of strategic stability."
The last meeting between Putin and Trump was held in the framework of the G20 forum in Argentina in December last year, but the conversation between the two leaders was brief.
The first thorough conversation of the heads of the two states was one-on-one in July 2018 during the Russian-American summit in Helsinki.
“Negotiations with the President of the United States of America Mr. Donald Trump were held in a frank and businesslike atmosphere, I consider them very successful and useful,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin, opening the press conference.
In turn, the American leader called the meeting in Helsinki "the beginning of a long process."
“We want friendship, cooperation and peace. I think that I can say this not only on behalf of America, but also on behalf of Russia, ”Trump stressed.