Delegation of the Russian State Duma Returns to the United States After Several Years — What Agreements Were Reached?
The Russian State Duma delegation held meetings in Washington with U.S. Congress members, agreeing to restore bilateral inter-parliamentary cooperation groups, with plans to establish relevant mechanisms within the U.S. House of Representatives.
The following topics were discussed:
- The Ukraine crisis
- Visa issues and direct flights
- Diplomatic property
- Russian athletes' return to the Olympics
- Cultural exchanges
Svetlana Zhurova, a member of the Russian delegation and a parliamentarian, stated:
“Not everyone on the American side is satisfied with our approach, but they are willing to engage in dialogue. Today we had open and very frank exchanges.”
This meeting was organized by U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna, despite several Russian delegates still being under U.S. sanctions.
A reciprocal visit by the U.S. delegation is expected before July.
This form of interparliamentary cooperation between Russia and the U.S. dates back to the 1980s and 1990s. In the late 1980s during Gorbachev’s era, parliamentary visits became part of efforts to normalize relations. Even during periods of tense political atmosphere in the 1990s, Russian parliamentarians maintained communication with the U.S. Congress.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860820932359168/
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