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Lavrov says he and Pompeo agreed steps to normalize Russia-US relations

The publication of Mueller’s report will make it possible to help establish a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington, Lavrov believes

© Anton Novoderzhkin/TASS

SOCHI, May 14. /TASS/. Moscow is interested in normalizing the relations with Washington on the basis of mutual respect, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a joint press conference following the talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday.

"Russia is interested in normalizing our dialogue. We are convinced that it is possible and realistic if the dialogue is based on mutual respect and consideration for interests," the Russian Foreign Minister said.

Russia has outlined the ideas concerning the positive development of bilateral relations with US in a memo and hopes that Washington will consider its proposals. "We discussed steps, which can give a fresh impetus to the positive development of Russian-American relations," Lavrov said. "We handed over a memo to the secretary of state. I hope that our ideas will be considered in Washington.".

Moscow will respond to Washington’s formal offer concerning a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Osaka in a positive way, if it receives it, Lavrov said. "Naturally, we heard Trump’s statement that he expects to meet with President Putin, including as part of their participation in the G20 summit in Osaka. If such a proposal is received, we will respond to it in a positive way, of course. We talked with Michael Pompeo about that today," Lavrov said.

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No request from US on organizing Putin-Trump meeting in Osaka — Kremlin spokesman

In parеicular, the publication of US Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report will make it possible to calm passions and thereby help establish a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington, Lavrov told reporters.

"I hope that after the newly-published report by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller passions across the pond will subside, and it will be finally possible to make progress in establishing more constructive cooperation and professional dialogue between Russia and the United States," he noted.

The Russian minister also expresed hope that the emerging reports of 120,000 US soldiers being sent to the Middle East to contain Iran are unfounded. "I hope that the rumors of the allegedly planned deployment of the US army of 120,000 soldiers are groundless, as the region is already mired in various conflicts," the Minister said.

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