US-Russia talks to resume, Russia threatens retaliation.

(Baonghean.vn) - On July 11, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert announced that the US and Russia are resuming high-level discussions to resolve major disagreements between the two world powers. This announcement comes amidst threats of retaliation from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov against the US if one of the key issues is not quickly resolved.

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held their first face-to-face meeting in Germany. Photo: AP

With bilateral relations considered by the U.S. to be at a “low point,” the two countries established an ongoing dialogue earlier this year between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Shannon and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ryabkov. The aim is to pave the way for future cooperation on Syria and other global issues, primarily by building trust through discussions on smaller issues, including Moscow’s desire for Washington to return two Russian diplomatic properties seized by the U.S. last year.

Russia unexpectedly canceled the most recent planned meeting between Shannon and Ryabkov in response to new sanctions imposed by the Trump administration last month over the Ukraine conflict, another sign of the severely deteriorated relationship between the two former Cold War adversaries. However, U.S. State Department spokesman Nauert said on July 11 that discussions were back on track.

US-Russia relations have hit a record low. Photo: RT

Ms. Nauert stated: “Deputy Secretary of State Shannon has been very supportive, as we try to find areas where we can negotiate to resolve some of our disagreements. And this meeting is scheduled to take place in Washington on July 17th.”

The discussions took place less than two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in person for the first time in Germany. The meeting between the two powers was described as a positive first step toward improving bilateral relations.

Lan Ha

(According to AP)