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US wants to find out at meeting in Riyadh if side can move forward — Department of State

Russian and American delegations are expected to meet in Riyadh on February 18

WASHINGTON, February 17. /TASS/. The goal of the US delegation to the upcoming meeting with Russian representatives is to find out if the sides can move ahead in the talks, US Department of State’s Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

"I think the goal, obviously, for everyone is to determine if this is something that can move forward," The Washington Post quoted her as telling journalists. Bruce is accompanying US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his trip to Riyadh.

According to the newspaper, she also said that the aim of the meeting is to determine "how serious the Russians are about wanting peace and whether detailed negotiations can be started."

Russian and American delegations are expected to meet in Riyadh on February 18 to discuss issues of the restoration of bilateral relations, as well as preparations for talks on the Ukrainian settlement and a meeting between the two countries’ leaders, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Donald Trump of the United States. Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov. According to CNN, the US delegation will include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East envoy Stephen Witkoff.

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