On July 29, local time, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov had a phone call with US Secretary of State Blinken. It is worth noting that after Russia launched a special military operation against Ukraine, American diplomats tried their best to show their "snubbing" towards Russian diplomats by withdrawing from the scene, not taking photos, and not having dinner together. The Associated Press described this as a "rare contact" between the United States and Russia. So what are the points worth paying attention to in this telephone meeting?
Focus one, the situation in Ukraine. According to the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov was invited to discuss the situation in Ukraine with Blinken on the phone. During the call, Lavrov emphasized that Russia will fully complete the set goals and tasks of the special military operation in Ukraine. Lavrov said that the Ukrainian army is using a large number of American and NATO weapons to harm civilians.
Focus 2 is the food issue. The Russian Foreign Ministry also stated that Lavrov briefed Blinken on the details of a series of agreements signed in Istanbul on July 22, the transportation of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea port and the promotion of Russian grain and fertilizer exports. Lavrov specifically pointed out that US sanctions have made the situation more complicated, and the US commitment to implement relevant exemptions for Russian food supplies has not yet been fulfilled.
Key point three is to exchange detainees. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement that the two also discussed matters related to the exchange of detainees between the two countries.
Blinken said on the 27th that the United States issued a "substantial proposal" to Russia, requiring Russia to release the two American citizens. According to CNN previously reported citing sources, the White House intends to release Russian arms dealer Victor Butt in exchange.
Previously, American women's basketball player Griner was detained when she flew from New York to Moscow in February. The police found an e-cigarette containing cannabis oil in her luggage and accused her of drug smuggling. Former U.S. Marine Whelan was arrested in a Moscow hotel in December 2018, and a Russian court found him guilty of espionage in June 2020.
The atmosphere of the conversation is also worthy of attention. According to Reuters 29 report, an unnamed US official said that the call lasted about 25 minutes and was "no argument and very pragmatic." "We had a candid and direct conversation," Blinken said.
However, the "Washington Post" noted that although Blinken called the meeting "candid and direct," neither party reported any progress on relevant foreign affairs after the meeting. According to a report from Itar-Tass news agency, Blinken will visit Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, from August 3rd to 5th to participate in three ministerial meetings including the US-ASEAN Meeting and the East Asia Summit. Lavrov will also visit Phnom Penh from the 4th to the 5th. U.S. State Department spokesperson Price said that Blinken has no plans to meet face-to-face with Lavrov by then.
Editor丨Li Wensi, Chief Editor of Shenzhen Satellite TV Direct News
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