Blinken, Lavrov Seek Cooperation despite 'Differences' at 1st Meeting

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had first meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Reykjavik since President Joe Biden took office.

The twp top diplomats cited their serious differences in how they view world affairs but struck an optimistic tone for the talks, affirming that the two sides can still find ways to work together.

Blinken said it was "no secret that we have our differences", noting that Washington would respond to aggressive acts by Russia, but the world would be safer if the two countries' leaders worked together.

On his part, Lavrov said Russia and the United States have "serious differences" but they must cooperate "in spheres where our interests collide."

Senior U.S. State Department officials stated that there were no breakthroughs in the meeting, but described it as a "good start" to work on relations between the two countries in "weeks, months and years to come."

Blinken asserted that Biden wanted "a predictable, stable relationship with Russia" adding that the two countries could work together on tackling the coronavirus pandemic, combating climate change, dealing with Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs, in addition to the war in Afghanistan.

"We think that's good for our people, good for the Russian people and indeed good for the world," he noted.

Senior State Department officials told reporters that the meeting also addressed cyber security and Russia's troop movements on its border with Ukraine, repeatedly insisted that the meeting was "table setting" for future talks.

Interestingly, the first high-level encounter between the Biden administration and a Russian counterpart lasted one hour and 45 minutes.

Lavrov told Russian state media the talks were "constructive" and that Russia was ready to discuss all issues between the two countries "on the basis of mutual respect."

Moreover, he pointed out that they would prepare proposals for a possible meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.