The press officer of the Russian Presidency said that, according to Lavrov, the meeting with Blinken was constructive, but pointed out that the process towards a possible normalization of bilateral ties ‘is not going to be easy.’

Peskov commented in regards to this that there are ‘a large number of problems’ in the relations between Russia and the United States.

However, he acknowledged that the talks ‘will help in the analysis being done in Moscow regarding a likely meeting’ between Vladimir Putin and Joseph Biden.

The spokesman also described as positive Washington’s backing down from imposing sanctions on the operator of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, laid between Russia and Germany.

He commented that all the countries and companies participating in the transnational project are interested in its completion and start-up, despite all the difficulties.

‘Just like our international partners, we are convinced that the project should not be subjected to pressure from third countries. This is illegal and does not comply with the rules of international trade,’ Peskov said.

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