Putin & Xi Jinping Set to Discuss European Tensions

LOCAL NEWS

• Putin & Xi Jinping set to discuss European tensions today in a video Summit. Kremlin Spox Peskov says Russia is seeing very aggressive rhetoric from NATO & the Us and this requires talks with China.
  • Conversation will also span energy cooperation , bilateral relations & regional issues
• US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried will visit Moscow today for meetings with Dmitry Kozak & Sergei Ryabkov to discuss the Ukraine situation and implementation of the Minsk agreements.
  • The agenda includes the “discussion of mechanisms for resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine, including the question of the parameters, the framework of a new structure with the participation of the US, the development of an understanding of what role Washington can play here”
• Lavrov says he sees a willingness from the US to develop dialogue, despite differences. Says it is necessary to switch from confrontation to a dialogue, noting that this situation is developing.
  • Also said he hopes other Western states will show the same willingness as the US to develop dialogue. The White House also commented last night, saying that the continuation of dialogue was a “good sign”
• Macron, Putin agree to hold more talks by year-end following a phone call in which they discussed the situation between Poland & Belarus & the Ukrainian border. Separately, Putin urged NATO members to hold internal discussions on providing security guarantees for Moscow