The US and Russian negotiations discussed, in particular, the issue of safe navigation in the Black Sea, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, stating that Moscow supports the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative in a form that will be "more acceptable" to all parties. This is reported by Russian media, writes UNN.
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"We are in favor of restoring the Black Sea Initiative in some form - more acceptable to all," Lavrov said in an interview with state Russian television. He noted that this issue was discussed as a priority at the talks in Riyadh.
Lavrov called Russia's goal to avoid any attempts to exclude Russia from the grain and fertilizer markets.
US-Russia talks in Riyadh: White House says "progress achieved" - media25.03.25, 05:30
At the meeting with the United States in Riyadh, the Russian delegation also reportedly stressed the importance of a "clear" wording of the new Black Sea Initiative. "We wanted there to be no ambiguities this time," Lavrov said.
He also stated that Russia would need clear guarantees to restore the Black Sea Initiative.
"We will need clear guarantees, (...) guarantees can only be the result of an order from Washington to Zelensky and his team to do this and not otherwise. And it seems to me that our American partners have taken this signal," Lavrov said.
Lavrov pointed out that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are currently being informed about the results of the Russian-American talks in Riyadh.
Lavrov also stated that Europe allegedly directly contradicts the position of the Trump administration, which speaks of preliminary parameters for resolving the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.