Sergei Lavrov
Who participated in the high-level diplomatic meeting in Riyadh and how long did it last?
A high-level U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh. The American delegation also included National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, marking what appears to be the first significant U.S.-Russia diplomatic engagement since the Ukraine war began. The meeting lasted four and a half hours, suggesting substantial discussions took place between the representatives of both nations. This extended duration indicates the complexity and importance of the topics addressed, likely centering on the ongoing Ukraine conflict and its global implications.
Watch clip answer (00:10m)
MSNBC
00:10 - 00:21
What diplomatic developments are occurring between Russia, the US, and Ukraine regarding the conflict?
Russia has firmly opposed any NATO troops being deployed to Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announcing that Russia and the US have agreed to establish a process for settling the Ukraine conflict. Additionally, they aim to remove barriers for diplomatic missions between the countries. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that peace talks should not exclude parties affected by the conflict. These diplomatic maneuvers occur against a backdrop of schedule changes, with Russia postponing a planned Wednesday trip to Saudi Arabia, indicating the delicate and evolving nature of these international negotiations.
Watch clip answer (00:44m)
WION
00:05 - 00:49
How has the US Administration's approach to Russia changed according to Sergey Lavrov?
According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the current US Administration is demonstrating more understanding of Russia's position, marking a shift in diplomatic relations. This improved engagement will lead to further meetings in the near future where both sides plan to address all issues and remove obstacles between their countries. Lavrov specifically mentioned that these upcoming discussions will focus on resolving diplomatic challenges, including the important matter of resuming diplomatic missions. This renewed approach suggests a potential turning point in US-Russia relations, particularly regarding communication about the Ukraine conflict.
Watch clip answer (00:11m)
Al Jazeera English
00:37 - 00:48
What is Ukraine's stance on peace talks regarding the war with Russia?
Ukraine's president has explicitly stated that there will be no deal without his country's involvement in peace talks. This firm position comes amid discussions about potential meetings between international leaders, including Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, though no specific date has been set for such a meeting yet. While the Kremlin has indicated that a meeting between Trump and Putin will happen, Ukraine remains adamant that it must have a seat at the negotiating table for any peace agreement to be considered valid. This underscores Ukraine's determination to maintain its sovereignty in diplomatic processes concerning its future.
Watch clip answer (00:14m)Al Jazeera English
01:12 - 01:26
How were the talks between the US and Russia characterized, and what future steps are planned?
The talks between the US and Russia were described by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as 'useful and constructive,' with both sides attentively listening to one another. He noted that the current US Administration shows greater understanding of Russia's position compared to previous ones. Looking forward, Lavrov indicated that more meetings will be convened in the near future to address various issues and overcome obstacles. Specifically, he mentioned plans to work on the resumption of diplomatic missions between the countries. This suggests a pathway toward normalizing diplomatic relations that had deteriorated during the Ukraine conflict.
Watch clip answer (00:15m)
Al Jazeera English
00:33 - 00:48
What are Russia's key demands regarding NATO's commitment to Ukraine?
Russia is demanding that NATO formally withdraw its 2008 membership promise to Ukraine made at the Bucharest summit. According to Russian officials, simply refusing to accept Ukraine into NATO presently is insufficient - the alliance must completely disavow the Bucharest promises that guaranteed Ukraine future membership in the North Atlantic bloc. Following talks mediated by Saudi officials, Russian representatives stated that the negotiations had gone 'pretty well.' Russia's position is that without this formal withdrawal, the issue will continue to 'poison the atmosphere on the European continent.'
Watch clip answer (01:03m)
WION
01:20 - 02:23