The meeting of US President Donald Trump and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov lasted for about 40 minutes

WASHINGTON, May 10. /TASS/. Before meeting with Donald Trump, Sergey Lavrov held talks with the US top diplomat Rex Tillerson. Lavrov's talks with the US president lasted for about 40 minutes behind closed doors. Russia-US relations Moscow and Washington can and should solve global issues together, Lavrov said following his meetings with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US President Donald Trump. "I had a bilateral meeting with Rex Tillerson, then the two of us were received by President Trump," the Russian top diplomat said. "We discussed, first and foremost, our cooperation on the international stage."

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"At present, our dialogue is not as politicized as it used to be during Obama’s presidency. The Trump administration, including the president himself and the secretary of state, are people of action who are willing to negotiate," the Russian top diplomat pointed out. Lavrov said agreement reached with Tillerson to continue using diplomatic channel to discuss Russian-US relations. According to Lavrov, the current state of bilateral relations is no cause for joy. "The reason why our relations deteriorated to this state is no secret," the Russian top diplomat added. "Unfortunately, the previous (US) administration did everything possible to undermine the basis of our relations so now we have to start from a very low level." "President Trump has clarified his interest in building mutually beneficial and practical relations, as well as in solving issues," Lavrov pointed out. "This is very important," he said. Seizure of Russia’s diplomatic property in the United States is illegitimate and Washington realizes this, Lavrov said. "It is a specific issue," he said adding the US "does not deny it is ours." Besides, everyone realizes that "those actions were illegitimate," Lavrov added. De-escalation zones in Syria Lavrov believes Syria has areas where US might contribute to operation of de-escalation zones. "We are ready for this cooperation and today have discussed in detail the steps and mechanisms which we can manage together," Lavrov said. "We have confirmed our interest in the US’ most active role in those issues," Lavrov said. "I imagine the Americans are interested in this too." "We proceed from the fact they will take up the initiative," he added. "We have thoroughly discussed the Syrian issue, particularly the ideas related to setting up de-escalation zones," the Russian top diplomat said. "We share an understanding that this should become a common step aimed at putting an end to violence across Syria," he added. Lavrov said Russia and the US share understanding of Syrian de-escalation zones’ geography.