Riyadh-Saba:
Member of the Russian delegation, Grigory Karasin, revealed that negotiations with the US side in Riyadh are proceeding at full speed, noting that the two sides are discussing "the most serious problems."
Sputnik quoted Karasin as saying: "The negotiations are proceeding at full speed."
In response to a question about whether there was any understanding between the two sides, Karasin said: "Well, how can there not be an understanding when we have been sitting for three hours discussing the most serious problems? So let's continue these talks."
The Russian delegation had earlier arrived at the negotiations site with a group of American experts in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
Saudi State Security personnel asked journalists and others to leave the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Entry to the hotel building itself is strictly prohibited.
Russia will be represented at the meeting by Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the International Committee of the Russian Federation Council, and Sergei Beseda, Advisor to the Director of the Federal Security Service.
The talks are expected to focus primarily on the nuances of the possible resumption of the initiative on maritime safety in the Black Sea, which was discussed during the recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Putin and Trump discussed the situation in Ukraine, de-escalation measures, and international issues in a phone call on March 18.
At the same time, the Kremlin has not previously ruled out that, in addition to the Black Sea initiative, other aspects of the Ukrainian settlement may be discussed in the Riyadh negotiations.
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