The negotiations between United States and Russian delegations in Riyadh would be holding a closed format, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported on Monday.
Al Arabiya broadcaster reported earlier in the day that negotiation has already started, confirming that the Russian delegation had arrived at the negotiation venue at Ritz-Carlton hotel.
Saudi Arabia’s state security service officers had asked journalists and others to leave the premises of the hotel and refrain from photo and video recording.
Security personnel in vehicles were stationed throughout the hotel grounds, and entry into the building was strictly prohibited.
The Russian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, noting that Russia was represented at the meeting by Grigory Karasin, head of the Russian upper house’s foreign affairs committee, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service, FSB.
The talks are expected to focus primarily on the nuances of a possible resumption of the initiative concerning the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
It was discussed during the last phone call between the Russian and U.S. presidents.
