This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/413937-lavrov-johnson-meet-moscow/

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
‘Bad patch’: Boris Johnson says he wants better relations with Russia ‘Bad patch’: Boris Johnson says he wants better relations with Russia
(35 minutes later)
Boris Johnson has called for the UK and Russia to “work hard” to overcome existing difficulties. He is the first UK Foreign Secretary to visit Moscow in the last five years, amid strained relations between the two countries.Boris Johnson has called for the UK and Russia to “work hard” to overcome existing difficulties. He is the first UK Foreign Secretary to visit Moscow in the last five years, amid strained relations between the two countries.
During the joint news conference with his Russian counterpart, Johnson said that he is “a committed Russophile,” despite the fact that Russia and the UK are going through a “very difficult patch” in their relations. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Friday after the head of the UK Foreign Office arrived on an official visit the previous evening. The top diplomats agreed that the two countries’ bilateral relations are far from satisfactory, with Johnson describing them as “going through a bad patch.”
The British foreign secretary said, however, that Russia and the UK have many mutually important areas for cooperation, and called for “more progress" on bilateral ties, as well as coordinated efforts on issues “that matter to the people of the world.”
"One of the reasons for coming here is that there is no point in simply sitting on the sidelines and complaining about each other. We have to engage and we have to talk to each other," he told journalists. Iran, the Korean crisis, the future of Syria, as well as the fight against terrorism are issues of mutual interest for Moscow and London.
During the joint news conference with his Russian counterpart, the top British diplomat said that he is “a committed Russophile,” despite the fact that Russia and the UK are going through a “very difficult patch” in their relations.
When asked about alleged Russian meddling in UK Brexit vote that took place in June 2016, he said: “As I say, there was abundant evidence of Russian interference in elections in Germany, Denmark, France, and America. As I say, there is no evidence of any successful Russian interference in the UK [elections],” Johnson said, adding that the two countries should "move on."
Lavrov said he trusts Johnson and admitted he had seen "no hostility" and called the "friendly" nature of the talks helpful.Lavrov said he trusts Johnson and admitted he had seen "no hostility" and called the "friendly" nature of the talks helpful.
The UK foreign secretary was also asked about alleged Russian meddling in UK Brexit vote that took place in June 2016. “As I say, there was abundant evidence of Russian interference in elections in Germany, Denmark, France, and America. As I say, there is no evidence of any successful Russian interference in the UK [elections],” Johnson said, adding that the two countries should "move on."
READ MORE: ‘Pragmatist with no principles’: Boris Johnson may face problems finding common language in Moscow
The two nations have fallen out over a range of issues, including the Ukrainian crisis and the Syrian war.
Johnson and Lavrov discussed UK-Russia ties, as well as Syria and the North Korean crisis, among other issues, as well as international issues, cooperation on Syria, and the North Korean crisis, among other things.
“I hope to hold today an open, direct conversation, and I consider outlining specific steps on invigoration of our relations as the main task of this meeting,” Lavrov said as he opened talks with his British counterpart. He added that UK-Russian relations are at “a very low point,” but not on Moscow’s initiative. However, the two countries also have “mutual concerns” that should be addressed. “I hope to hold today an open, direct conversation, and I consider outlining specific steps on invigoration of our relations as the main task of this meeting,” Lavrov said as he opened talks with his British counterpart. He added that UK-Russian relations are at “a very low point,” but not on Moscow’s initiative. However, the two countries also have “mutual concerns” that should be addressed. 
Speaking to the Russian foreign minister ahead of their talks, Boris Johnson said that London and Moscow should work on relations and openly talk about the difficulties.
Iran is a mutual interest for the UK and Russia, and the Iranian nuclear deal should be an area of bilateral cooperation, Johnson said. The agreement on the country’s nuclear program, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was widely criticized by US President Donald Trump, who refused to recertify Iran’s compliance with the accord in October, citing “multiple violations” by Tehran.Iran is a mutual interest for the UK and Russia, and the Iranian nuclear deal should be an area of bilateral cooperation, Johnson said. The agreement on the country’s nuclear program, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was widely criticized by US President Donald Trump, who refused to recertify Iran’s compliance with the accord in October, citing “multiple violations” by Tehran.