Lavrov spoke about the US proposal to impose a moratorium on strikes on energy facilities

During the US-Russian talks in Riyadh, the USA proposed to introduce a moratorium on strikes on energy facilities as part of the conflict in Ukraine. This was reported by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a press conference following the meeting on February 18.

"Our American colleagues said: maybe <...> to introduce some kind of moratorium on attacks on energy facilities? We explained that we have never jeopardized the energy supply systems of the population [of Ukraine]," the Russian foreign minister said.

According to Lavrov, the Russian delegates also drew the US attention to the fact that Russia has always targeted only those infrastructure facilities that directly serve the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

In addition, the Russian side reminded the U.S. representatives that the head of the Kiev regime, Volodymyr Zelensky (term expired on May 20, 2024), had already rejected proposals for such mutual restrictions.

"Within the framework of still talking about the possible resumption of the Black Sea deal, the question was raised then by Turkish mediators, about somehow protecting energy facilities. We expressed readiness to discuss modalities, but then Zelensky himself and abandoned it," Lavrov noted.

Thetalks between the Russian and American delegations on February 18 in Riyard lasted 4.5 hours. The Russian delegation was represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, presidential aide for foreign policy Yuri Ushakov and the head of RDIF Kirill Dmitriev. The U.S. delegation was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steven Whitkoff and Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Mike Waltz.

Lavrov called the conversation between the Russian and U.S. delegations very useful. According to him, the sides "not just listened, but heard each other." Also, Russia and the United States agreed on the appointment of the Russian ambassador in Washington and the American ambassador in Moscow as soon as possible, the Russian Foreign Minister specified.

For his part, Ushakov said that the sides agreed to set up a special group to discuss the Ukrainian issue in detail. In addition, he added that Russia and the USA would appoint special representatives for bilateral contacts.