The note specifies that the negotiators are seated at a large rectangular table, with the Russian representatives on the right and the US representatives on the left, the former led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are taking part in the meeting on the US side. The gathering began without an advance press briefing.

The parties expect to discuss normalizing relations between the two major powers.

Other issues on the agenda include talks to settle the conflict in Ukraine and the organization of a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

Putin and Trump held a phone conversation on February 12 to address the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, prisoners’ exchange, Iran’s nuclear program, and bilateral relations. The two heads of State also agreed to continue contact and arrange a face-to-face meeting.

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