According to a report by RIA Novosti on August 20, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Zakharova said that Russia and the US are finalizing the time for the next contacts to eliminate “irritants” in bilateral relations. Zakharova said, “Regarding the specific arrangements for talks to eliminate 'irritants', according to our 'Gentleman Agreement' with the US, we will not release relevant information in advance because we think it is best to conduct this type of dialogue in a low-key manner. All I can say is that the timing of the next contact is being agreed upon.” She said that Russia is ready to continue working with American partners to shift to substantive discussions around priority tasks. She stressed that completing this task will guarantee the full and smooth normalization of bilateral relations. The report also said that Zakharova said that Russia is ready to listen to America's new constructive ideas on the Ukraine issue. “From our perspective, we are open to Washington's constructive initiatives,” she said. At the same time, we emphasize that any solution to the Ukrainian crisis must fully take into account Russia's national interests.” She added: “The extreme demands made by Kyiv and its European financiers do not reflect the realities of the territory, and there is no point in discussing these demands.” Zakharova also said that in its contacts with the US, Russia raised issues relating to the return of confiscated Russian diplomatic property and the resumption of direct flights. Zakharova said, “We have always insisted that we must move from important technical issues in the activities of diplomatic missions to groundbreaking tasks, such as returning confiscated Russian diplomatic property and resuming direct flights.” She stressed that although some progress has been made, the Russian Embassy and Consulate General are still unable to fully resume work due to the difficulties in the negotiation process and differences in positions between the two sides. “Additionally, efforts are needed to rebuild lost trust,” she added.

According to a report by RIA Novosti on August 20, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Zakharova said that Russia and the US are finalizing the time for the next contacts to eliminate “irritants” in bilateral relations. Zakharova said, “Regarding the specific arrangements for talks to eliminate 'irritants', according to our 'Gentleman Agreement' with the US, we will not release relevant information in advance because we think it is best to conduct this type of dialogue in a low-key manner. All I can say is that the timing of the next contact is being agreed upon.” She said that Russia is ready to continue working with American partners to shift to substantive discussions around priority tasks. She stressed that completing this task will guarantee the full and smooth normalization of bilateral relations. The report also said that Zakharova said that Russia is ready to listen to America's new constructive ideas on the Ukraine issue. “From our perspective, we are open to Washington's constructive initiatives,” she said. At the same time, we emphasize that any solution to the Ukrainian crisis must fully take into account Russia's national interests.” She added: “The extreme demands made by Kyiv and its European financiers do not reflect the realities of the territory, and there is no point in discussing these demands.” Zakharova also said that in its contacts with the US, Russia raised issues relating to the return of confiscated Russian diplomatic property and the resumption of direct flights. Zakharova said, “We have always insisted that we must move from important technical issues in the activities of diplomatic missions to groundbreaking tasks, such as returning confiscated Russian diplomatic property and resuming direct flights.” She stressed that although some progress has been made, the Russian Embassy and Consulate General are still unable to fully resume work due to the difficulties in the negotiation process and differences in positions between the two sides. “Additionally, efforts are needed to rebuild lost trust,” she added.