Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a forum in the Turkish resort city of Antalya that the time has come for talks with the United States about how Washington sees its future economic ties with Russia, Reuters and TASS reported. However, he added that differences between the two countries remain, BTA reported.
Lavrov said NATO “is not in its best shape“ but that Russia will not interfere in the alliance's internal affairs.
Russia has made renewed economic cooperation with the United States a key part of its efforts to politically ease relations with the administration of US President Donald Trump, Reuters notes.
On the sidelines of the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya, the Russian Foreign Minister met with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. Lavrov and Fidan confirmed Moscow and Ankara's commitment to constructive cooperation in developing effective solutions to resolve crises, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry quoted by TASS after a meeting between the two ministers.
“During a bilateral meeting with Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the event, key aspects of the international and regional agenda were discussed in detail, including the situation in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. The joint desire of Russia and Turkey for further constructive cooperation in developing effective solutions to resolve crisis situations was confirmed“, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. The ministry added that Lavrov and Fidan also discussed current issues of the Russian-Turkish dialogue, as well as the main goals of trade, economic and energy cooperation between the two countries, and outlined a schedule for upcoming contacts.
A plan for consultations between the foreign policy departments of the two countries for the next two years (2026-2027), the Russian Foreign Ministry also announced, quoted by TASS.