By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) – The Russian and US heads of diplomatic services during a phone talk on Wednesday agreed to meet on the sidelines of the Arctic Council summit to be held in Iceland's capital Reykjavik on May 20.
Sergey Lavrov and Antony Blinken plan to discuss the North Korean nuclear problem, the resumption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian Nuclear Program, and the issues of strategic stability, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
They also discussed the schedule of the upcoming bilateral contacts, the ministry said.
US State Department also confirmed the phone call and planned meeting next week.
"Secretary Blinken and Minister Lavrov discussed the upcoming Arctic Council Ministerial, where they will meet next week, and the potential to cooperate during Russia’s subsequent Arctic Council Chairmanship," said Spokesman Ned Price in a statement.
Blinken reiterated US President Joe Biden’s "resolve to protect U.S. citizens and act firmly in defense of U.S. interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us or our allies," said Price.
*Servet Gunerigok in Washington contributed to the story
