Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke with the press following a 4.5-hour meeting with the U.S. delegation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Lavrov was positive about the meeting, reporting:
“At the commencement of the discussion, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the fundamental importance of each nation being guided by its national interests in international relations. We fully concurred with this, along with the understanding that these national interests will not always coincide. However, when they diverge, it is essential to manage these differences, not leave them to chance, and certainly not incite confrontations, whether military or otherwise.
“Where national interests overlap, every effort should be made to harness these areas and undertake mutually advantageous projects in the geopolitical and economic realms.
“The dialogue was highly fruitful. We not only listened but also understood each other. I am confident that the American side has gained a clearer understanding of our position, which we reiterated in detail, drawing on numerous statements by President of Russia Vladimir Putin and supported by specific examples.”
In response to a question from Rossiya 1 TV on what impression he got of his American counterparts, Lavrov answered, “We engaged in good, positive negotiations. The atmosphere was exceedingly positive. A positive atmosphere is cultivated by positive individuals.”
