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No progress between Russia, US on visas, communication ongoing, diplomat says

However, the two sides have been routinely discussing consular matters and visa problems

MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. Communication between Russia and the United States on visas will be continued, though the parties have not made any progress so far, a senior Russian diplomat said on Friday.

"No progress has been made on visas. If you think some breakthroughs can happen, there is nothing on the horizon. But the topic is being and will continue to be discussed," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov assured.

"We have not curtailed communication here, nor have the Americans curtailed interaction, unlike many other areas. Maybe there will be some progress, at least somewhat, in some aspects," the diplomat hoped.

However, the two sides have been routinely discussing consular matters and visa problems, Ryabkov emphasized. "I’d like to stress that, given the scarce number of employees at the visa department of the US Embassy in Moscow, I guess, the Americans have no reason to complain about the somewhat lack of people," the Russian diplomat concluded.

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