Russian foreign minister Lavrov, US State Secy Pompeo speak on bilateral, international issues

Washington, July 22: Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov discussed with his American counterpart Mike Pompeo on Saturday, July 21, prospects of relations between the two countries and possible cooperation on Syria and the Korean Peninsula, the Russian foreign ministry said, reported Xinhua News Agency.

Lavrov and Pompeo had also spoken ahead of US President Donald Trump's controversial summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, on Monday, July 16, and also during it.

During the telephonic discussion, both the officials exchanged their views over further normalising the relations between the two countries that are historically known not to share their best of relationship. They now eye normalisation of the relations "on an equal and mutually beneficial basis," a statement by Russia's foreign ministry said, Xinhua reported.

Lavrov and Pompeo also spoke on issues including possible talks of the Kremlin and White House with other countries to address issues in Syria and also promote denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the statement said, reported Xinhua.

Trump and Putin discussed several issues besides the two nations' bilateral relations at their first-ever summit in Helsinki. Although the summit sparked controversy since Trump sided with Putin instead of his own country's intelligence over the charges of Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election in the US, he planned to invite Putin to the White House next.

On Friday, July 20, Pompeo confirmed Trump's continuing talks with the Russian president and said the two leaders started discussing return of millions of Syrian refugees.