Representatives from the housing companies. Earlier today secretary of state mike pompeo and Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov held a News Conference with reporters at the state department. They talked about current u. S. Relations with russia. This is 45 minutes. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome. Welcome, sergey. Before i recap the meeting that i had with foreign minister lavrov and his team, i want to note that recently the Trump Administrations taken action looking to its only appropriate i mention them on International Human rights day which we celebrate today. These actions extend the Trump Administrations commitment to hold individuals accountable for gross human rights abuses all around the world. Ill speak more about that tomorrow. Now turning to our meeting. Last may at President Trumps request, i made a trip to russia to meet with president putin and foreign minister lauvrov. We should have a better relationship, the United States and russia than we have the last few years and weve been working on that since that moment o. Pour bilateral ties are, of course, complicated. We cooperate in some areas. In other places we compete. Over the course of my visit, foreign minister lavrov and i agreed to continue the hard w k wowork the diplomats engage in. We agreed to keep our lines of Communications Open and to keep our conversations candid as well. Our talks today continued that. Wu tou we touched on counterterrorism, counternarcotics, intelligence and Law Enforcement officials cooperate in those areas on a daily basis and will keep doing so and aim to make that co cooperation even more refined and better. On syria, were committed to working through u. N. Security Council Resolution 2254 to find a political solution to the crisis there in syria. I think we agree that theres no military solution and we both want to ensure that syria never again becomes a safe haven for is yn is and oafor isis and other terrorist groups. Same thing goes for afghanistan as well. We talked about the cooperation our two countries have had on the issues that face us in afghanistan. Today, too, we agreed on the final fully verified denuclearization in north korea as our joint objective. I raised the importance of sanctions enforcement with foreign minister lavrov today. These are all good, positive, areas where our two countries have cooperated and will continue to do so. There are other places where there are greater challenges. Venezuela is one of them. The longer that Nicolas Maduro hangs on to power, the deeper the misery of the venezuelan people. Weve asked the russian government to support the aspiration for democracy and legitimacy of interim president juan guaido and call we have made for free and fair president ial elections. We also spent a fair amount of time talking about ukraine. It was a major part of our conversations. Foreign minister lavrov just returned from paris where president putin and president zelensky had substantive conversations. Im proud of what this administration has done in the defense of that countrys sovereignty and security. I reiterated to foreign minister lavrov that crimea belongs to ukraine and the resolution of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine begins with adherence to commitments made under the minsk agreements. President trump, too, is eager to pursue arms control with russia and with china. We talked about that at great length today. It has to be verifiable, enforcement, include all the partners who have the ability to impact Strategic Security around the world and then, too, i had the chance to raise the issue of u. S. Citizens like paul whelan who have been detained in russia, bringing home our citizens abroad as soon as possible is one of President Trumps highest priorities. We had a success this past weekend. Then on the question of interference in our Domestic Affairs, i was clear, its unacceptable and i made our expectations of russia clear. The Trump Administration will always work to protect the integrity of our elections, period. Should russia or any foreign actor take steps to undermine our democratic processes, we will take action in response. And finally, i want the russian people to know that sanctions the United States has leveraged, levied on russian individuals and entities in no way targeted the russian people. We have no quarrel with lawabiding citizens and will keep working on the diplomatic level to get this relationship right. I want to thank you, sergey, foreign minister lavrov, for coming to washington. I look forward to our continuing conversations in the future. Thank you, sir. Translator to secretary pompano for the opportunity to meet here in washington, we have accepted the invitation to visit the United States as a response vis visit. After secretary pompeo traveled to the Russian Federation to sochi in may this year, there was a meeting with the president of the Russian Federation as well as our meaningful negotiations. We meet each other regularly and we regularly talk on the phone when necessary. Todays meeting has confirmed that it is useful to talk to each other. However difficult this period in our relation is and including the global affairs, talking to each othersatther is always betn not talking to each other. We have thoroughly discussed bilateral association in our affairs and spoke about strategic stability, arms control, and we spoke frankly and businesslike. Were trying not only to hear not only to listen to each other but to hear each other. Its an open secret that we have different views on Different Things and it would be naive to think that overnight we could achieve Mutual Understanding on key issues, but i believe that was always so to want more or less. There is not 100 coincidence in positions and the diplomacy basically tried to find solutions that would not infringe on vested interests of each others side, but that would allow to avoid conflicts and promote cooperation. Indeed, we agree with our American Partners just like mike just said. The situation, two leading Major Nuclear powers have accumulated differences, that is not acceptable. It does not benefit our countries or the international community. That creates additional tension in global arena and in the world on the whole. So, we will continue our dialogue. We have reciprocal intent to do that and we have opportunities how to normalize our bilateral relations. We understand that our joint work was hindered and continues to be hindered by the wave of suspicions th suspicion that has overcome washington. We have highlighted once again that all speculations about our alleged interference in domestic processes in the United States are baseless. There are no facts that would support that. We did not see these facts. No one has given us this proof because simply it does not exist. Id like to remind you that when the first statements on this topic began, it was on the eve of the president ial election in 2016. We used the channels that existed back then between moscow and washington together with barack obama. We have asked many times our American Partners about the opportunity to deal with suspicions that were expressed in october 2016. All the way up to President Trumps inauguration. There was no response. All our appeals when we were saying if you suspect us of something, please put the fact down on the table. Lets discuss it. It had zero response. So, all that continued after the inauguration of the new administration, after the inauguration of President Trump. We suggested to our colleagues that in order to dispel all suspicions that are baseless, let us publish this closedchannel correspondence starting from october 2016 till november 2017 so it would all become very clear to many people, however regrettably this administration refused to do so. Id like to repeat once again, were prepared to do that and to publish the correspondence that took place through that channel would clear many matters up, i believe. Nevertheless, we hope that the turbulence that appeared out of thin air will die down just like in 1950s, there will be an opportunity to go back to a more constructive cooperation. Incidentally, we have offered multiple times and were reminded about that today to put on paper a muctual obligations n noninterference of Domestic Affairs of each other, using the example of exchange of personal notes that took place in 1933 when diplomatic relations were reestablished between the United States and the ussr, president roosevelt suggested, the american side suggested and we agreed to do that to change letters between president roosevelt and our minister of foreign affairs, to put it on paper this obligation not to allow for any interference in Domestic Affairs of each other. That was the initiative of the american side and we are prepared to do something similar at this point in time at this very crucial stage. We agreed that it would be incorrect to put our relations on hold, to pause them, or postpone or interaction on topical issues of modern times. Were prepared to do practical work on a whole range of issues that are for mutual interest and were prepared to do so that with level of intensity that is convenient today for our American Partners. One of the central topics of our discussion was strategic stability. We directed it, the attention of our partners, the negative consequences of the u. S. Stepping out of the inf treaty. And we have highlight ed once again that in these conditions, after this treaty stopped existing, were interested in in not letting this theme out of our advisers and we suggested, president putin suggested to the u. S. And other partners as well and russia is that russia is announcing a unilateral moratorium on deploying such missiles and will not be deployed, up until then and in those regions, up until the point where the similar systems appear the american systems appear. That suggestion was made to our western partners including the u. S. For such moratorium to become mutual, this offer remains on the table. We also spoke about the destiny of yet another treaty that is still not expired and it will expire automatically in february 2021. I mean, the new s. T. A. R. T. Treaty. Russia has reconfirmed its offer already now to make a decision to extend this treaty. President putin has expressed this position, reconfirmed it in his public speech. We are also confirming our proposal to yet again use the example of the ussr and the u. S. To make a statement at the level of president s about inacceptability of certain nuclear war. This suggestion is also on the table. As for a global affairs, we spoke about the ukraine. Ive briefed secretary pompeo and his delegation about yesterdays discussions in normandy, format in paris, about decisions made there and about issues yet to be settled in order to move on fully toward full observance of minsk agreements and its of principle importance that the outcome document the presence of russia, ukraine, france, and germany, have endorsed reconfirms the minsk agreement and requires their full observancobservance. That is 100 our position. We also spoke about the need to continue our discussion about the path, how to overcome the crisis around Iranian Nuclear program. We are well aware of our position. We believe it is necessary to do everything now in power to save jcpoa in order to ensure the peaceful nature of Iranian Nuclear research. Naturally, we are very concerned about the situation that is taking place in the persian gulf in the strait of hormuz and we also promote for all countries that want to ensure its security and safety of navigation review the russian proposal. Weve suggested to begin a dialogue about creating a system of collective security around the gulf. At the level of political scientists, experts and scientific community, weve held a special seminar in moscow. Many region many countries of the region including the arab states of the persian gulf that have taken part in that as well as a number of european scientists. We have also invited u. S. Representatives and we hope that next time, they will take part in such an event. As secretary pompeo has said, we spoke about the situation around venezuela. Russia consistently promotes the idea that the it should be venezuelaled and the people should define their future and tho the dialogue that were first seen in the oslo format that is, unfortunately, in limbo right now and the dialect were seeing in the roundtable in between the moderate opposition and the government would yield the necessary result and the crisis will be settled through peaceful means only. We spoke about the situation in the korean peninsula. Were promoting denuclearization of the korean peninsula. And against that backdrop, we see that we believe contacts between the u. S. And the prk are very important. We hope that the position that we have also discussed with secretary pompeo, the position of russia and china,co coordinating our approaches with china on these matters will be useful in order for washington to define their future path, considering the current stalemate in the negotiation process. We believe that in order to get out of this impasse, its necessary to move forward with reciprocal measures, foreign measure. And were prepared to actively aid on this track in order to overcome the current situation. We spoke about syria. Resolution 2254 encompasses all frameworks that need to define the Movement Forward toward the settlement and all aspects. We have highlighted the need for the cooperation between russia and the u. S. And as well as other stakeholders in order to finally eliminate terrorism on syrian territory. In order to solve humanitarian issues. As well as need for a sustainable, constructive, political process that has begun in geneva within the Constitutional Committee where the syrian sides have to agree about the future of their country. We spoke about other hotbeds of tension in the middle east and north of africa. There are many of them there. In particular, i believe we have futu mutual interests about, on closer cooperation on the libyan settlement. Were cooperating on the situation around yemen and, of course, it is very important to keep in our eyesight the palestinian israeli settlement that is apparently stalling and it is in critical condition. We also spoke about our Bilateral Affairs as i have already said. President s of the u. S. And russia back during the summit in helsinki in 2018 and later at a meeting in osaka in june this year, have agreed about a whole number of specific steps and as one of the results, there was there is renewed counterterrorism dialogue. It took place one year ago and several rounds have already taken place. That allows for a more efficient fight against this scourge, but for russia, the u. S. , and as well as Global Community, we expect that this format will remain an intensive exchange and now we have mr. John sullivan and there will be change of leadership there. Hell be taking place taking part in hearings in senate about his appointment to the Russian Federation. We know him as a very highly professional diplomat, will be happy to cooperate with him. Natur naturally, we believe our ambassador to washington would also receive the same level of support. As for economy, despite the sanctions, as it is well known, do not benefit anyone, the trade during President Trumps residing, we had continued growth from 20 billion that was president obamas level, now President Trump as of this year have helped reach the level of 27 billion. Thats more, around onethird of growth. That means more jobs in both countries. That means more profit for producers. And i believe that if this cooperation would gain additional then there would also be more mutually beneficial. We have agreed to continue to find paths in order to alleviate certain triggers in bilateral sphere. Therefore, the situation with the arrests of russian citizens abroad, the business situation, for our delegations that take part in International Events on the u. S. Territory as well as for diplomats as well as the situation with diplomatic property. We have agreed our deputies will continue specific discussions of all these issues that we want we want to make them constructive and yield results. Whats most important. In the end, id like to say with all difficulties and differences, there is Great Potential for our cooperation in economy and other spheres as well. It is in the interest of both countries to tap into that potential fully and to develop our relations to the benefit of our countries and the whole Global Community. That is our intent and today without the reciprocity, the same commitment of the american side, im thankful to mike pompeo. Wed like to continue this dialogue and i would like to invite him to visit russia when it is possible. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for the invitation. Please. Well start with rich, fox news. Good afternoon, mr. Secretary. On north korea and your discussions with north korea, are you satisfied with russia and other countries sanction enforcement . Also within the past week, north korea warned of a Christmas Gift for the United States. Is the administration prepared or expect north korea to return to a more aggressive posture, perhaps, want to terminate negotiations . Foreign minister lavrov, in your discussions over paul whelan, are the u. S. And russia any closer to resolving that case . Is paul whelan any closer today to freedom . And also, mr. Foreign minister, do you believe that you crane meddled in the u. S. Election in 2016 and is that specifically something you discussed with the secretary today . Thank you. Thank you. With respect to north korea, weve worked with the russians on enforcement. Ive told foreign minister lavrov repeatedly appreciate the enforcement level that they have. Theyve done good work. These are u. N. Security counsel resolutions. These arent american sanctions, per se. These are all driven by the u. N. Security counsel resolutions that the russians voted for, themselves. Theres always more work to be done on enforcement. Theres a major e vent vent on 22nd of december where every nation is required to have all north korean workers out of their country. We talked about that today and the importance there are many north korean workers that have been in russia. U. N. Security Council Resolution requires them to depart. Were hopeful theyll be able to complete that, come into full compliance with that. As for our expectations with respect to north koreas behavior, i think President Trumps been unambiguous about our expectation. Chairman kim personally made the commitment to denuclearize. Said there wouldnt be longrange missile tests, nuclear tests. All of those are commitments that we are very hopeful that north koreans will continue to abide by. We we continue to work to try and develop places where we can communica communicate, negotiations mechanisms where we can talk to them about paths forward to achieve the denuclearization both foreign minister lavrov and i are determined to help the north koreans achieve. Its a place where we have overlap on our objective. We need to jointly figure out a way together to assist the north koreans to get there so north korea can and the north Korean People can have the Brighter Future that President Trump has spoken so often about. Translator as for north korea, id like to add a few words on that. You asked whether the u. S. Is satisfied with the enforcement of sanctions against north korea. The sanctions by the u. N. Security council. Sanctions are an instrument that has been use ed by the u. N. Security council. However, that resolution does not deal only with sanctions. They also include the need to engage more actively in political process and that has often been lost. Now, these efforts to cover the current situation, were convinced that this political process needs to be actively supported and a key role is being played by the direct dialogue between the u. S. And pyongyang and we promote the reestablishment of this dialogue. Were positive that this dialogue can yield result only in the case when it follows the idea of reciprocal steps. You cannot demand north korea to do everything and right now and only then go back to ensuring its security and lifting the sanctions and the rest of all of it. The humanitarian situation, north korea requires urgent steps that would allow to and understand the capability of the Global Community not only to deal with the resolutions but also the prepareness of the Global Community to respond to absolute legitimate economic and humanitarian needs of north korea. Right now, in those goods that are not being covered by any sanctions, neither the u. N. Sanctions nor the u. S. Sanctions, are very hard to deliver to north korea because producing companies as well as Transportation Companies are afraid. Theyre simply afraid that for only mentioning that they have certain even legitimate business but business with north korea, they can be punished again. This situation has brought us to that impasse where were at right now and call upon the north korean leadership to show restraint, of course, and we expect the conditions will be created for the renewable of this dialogue. As for paul whelan, back in september, the investigation had stopped and he has time to acknowledge himself, acquaint himself, with accusations and now together with his lawyers hes starting these documents. After that, Court Process will proceed and that would put an end to this case, and after that, using bilateral documents that we have between us, the official documents in the Law Enforcement sphere, we can make these or bad decisions. Id like to highlight that a lot is being talked about the health of paul whelan, and we twereat this issue with all seriousness. Our doctors examine him regularly. He was complaining after groin hernia. We suggested to operate on that. He decided not to do that. Id like to highlight once again that paul whelan may be this tactic chosen by his lawyers is its hes threatening the penitentiary officers and he makes all kinds of arrogant accusations and, for example, hes saying that hell put a drill to the head of the officer. Maybe if this tactics of the lawyers is aimed at creating an image of a martyr, maybe that is not a correct one. Not a correct approach and not an honest one. Id like to repeat again, we are acting in full compliance with our law and those International Norms that can be applied in this case. As for ukraine and elections in the United States in 2016, it has nothing to do with us. That is an issue for two sovereign states. However, that allows to understand the absurdity of accusations against us that were saying that we interfered in the election. We proposed to public correspondence about i spoke about that. Were prepared to do that as soon as washington confirms their agreement to publish these Important Documents that are important for the community. Translator a question for both colleagues. Did it become any clearer the destiny of the new s. T. A. R. T. Treaty . Will it be extended . And clarification for mr. Lavrov, what do you think about the american argument that there was a need to engage china . Is it, indeed, a sincere desire to engage china in negotiations or as its called here, red herring, trying to find reason not to extend this treaty . Now to secretary pompeo, clarify, please, how the u. S. Intend to engage china in negotiation, continues disbalance in the sphere between different states. Another question to mr. Pompeo, a different sphere, why the u. S. Refuse to give green light to publishing the materials that russian minister spoke about, the correspondence between the white house and the kremlin about interference in elections, as far as i understand, this correspondent took place in the fall of 2016 and in the winter of 2017. Translator well, since were talking about the extension of the new s. T. A. R. T. Treaty, id like to say as i have already said in my initial remarks, russian president spoke again about to russias preparedness, alleviate tension for Global Community. Considering that the last instrument of arms control between the u. S. And the Russian Federation will not destroy but it will just not be enforced anymore. And were prepared to do that even today and the ball is in our American Partners court. As for china, president spoke about that multiple times. China is prepared to engage in that, to join that. Well support such an approach. In that case, well need to look at other nuclear powers, both official and unofficial. China spoke clearly that they will not take part in any negotiations because neither on the number or the structure of their nuclear arsenal, theyre not on par with russia and the u. S. We spoke about that today. We looked at the statistics provided by the Swedish Research for peace provided on china. On Chinese Nuclear arsenal in comparison with russian and the u. S. Arsenal and, of course, were talking about big figures. Big difference in figures. Of course, if china is prepared to do that, were prepared to review multilateral process in nuclear disarmament. Nevertheless, as president putin has said to secretary pompeo in sochi in may this year, this situation naturally requires negotiations because there is no specific offer on the table by our American Partners. And it will take some time, and in the meantime, in order to create a vacuum for u. S. And russia still Major Nuclear powers, could talk about extension of the new s. T. A. R. T. Treaty and calm down the international pair. That will be good. Ill take your second question then ill return to the important conversation on our streejategic dialogue, strategi arms control. Were publish the documents we think appropriate. We shared plenty of facts to show what happened in the 2016 election with our russian counterparts. We dont think theres any mistake about what really transpired there. As for strategic arms control, your question was about new s. T. A. R. T. In particular, but, of course, it cant be the case that that can be the sole focus. Thats an agreement that was entered into many years ago when powers were very different on a relative basis around the globe. It was at a time then the Weapons Systems, the threats were very different than they are today, too. The risk to strategic instability today are different. Its no longer just missiles. Just bombers. Just submarines. Just warheads. There are many other tools which can create strategic instability. So we believe not only do the conversations need to be broadened to include the Chinese Communist party, but they need to be broadened as well to encompass the full range of instruments of power that can create the very strategic instability that new s. T. A. R. T. , inf, the full range of agreements that have been entered into decades ago presented to the world. Thats our objective. Its our joint objective i think. We have to get it right. Mr. Lavrov talked about the fact china has fewer of some of those Weapons Systems today. Thats an accurate statement. But to enter into these conversations doesnt necessarily mean that we would cap any one country at any particular level. The objective isnt about that. Its about developing a set of conditions which create the very stability for the security of both our people, people of the United States, the people of russia, people all around the world are demanding from a good strategic dialogue. So i hope we can commence this. I hope we can begin to move forward in a way that is constructive. All the relevant parties talking about all the relevant threats to strategic stability around the world. And if we can do that, im confident that we can make Real Progress together. Thank you for your question. John hudson, washington post. Thank you. Mr. Secretary, i understand everything that you laid out about the importance of having china in those discussions. Would you, you know, if it doesnt pan out given the objections that minister lavrov pointed out that the chin naese have, would you be willing to go forward in any way and maybe secure, look toward securing a limited extension of new s. T. A. R. T. Without the chinese . And on impeachment, the democrats obviously unveiled their articles of impeachment obviously unveiled their articles of impeachment which the the democrats have accused your building of resisting oversight efforts and taking part in abetting with the alleged quid pro quo. Do you have a response to that . Minister lavrov, has there been a progress in establishing a u. S. Russia Business Council and you would like to see the u. S. Come forward with information about election meddling. Why not just read the Mueller Report . Its very detailed when it comes to u. S. Allegations related to meddling in the 2016 election. So if i may take your second question first. The second question about congressional oversight. We have complied and we will continue to do so. Weve asked every officer who testifies under oath to do so fully, completely, accurately, truthfully and that remains the expectation that i have for both the officers of the state department as well as for the things that we do to produce documents in response to appropriate congressional oversight. We will continue to do that and we will continue to comply with every legal constitutional requirement presented to us to make sure we do the right thing by the legislative branch and keep the appropriate balance between the executive and legislative branches and i expect that we will continue to do that in the days and weeks ahead. And your second question was a smaller question about new start and would we proceed without china . The answer with that is simply this. Do we believe that there is a conclusion that we might get to just between the United States and russia that improves strategic stability and that is from where we sit today, can we move forward . Can we make it more i guess even keeping it at the level that we have today. There is real concern as Weapons Systems move and advance, as new countries develop these capability, there is real risk that there is a reduction in strategic stability just staying right where we are today so that the reason were asking for other countries to participate and mr. Lavrov suggested france and the United Kingdom join as well, and happy to consider that, too. The cumulative missions that has to be global, strategic stability and we will continue to engage in conversations with the russians and others with the aim of achieving that. Translator now as for meddling or nonmeddling, you suggested to simply read the Mueller Report. We read it. There is no evidence of any collusion and our suggestion to id like to repeat it for the fourth time now, to publish that data that would show how russia responded through a special channel. This is a specially designated channel to review threats in Cyber Networks to show how russia responded and how russia suggested to respond to this confidentially and how these proposals were rejected by the obama administration, and i think publishing this data will not hinder the transparency, and that would not be bad for special counsel mueller for his report. Wed like the full picture and of course, it would be interesting for a journalist and i would like to confirm my proposal once again, and when mike was responding to the previous question, he said that a suggestion to widen the circle of those who would talk about the arms control or nuclear arms control, the u. S. Mean as he said, a number of conditions and a side of conditions and not the final limits of any, and now its the first time that we have clarification by an official representative of the u. S. And that is why i mentioned that it would be easier, possibly for us and for other people who the u. S. Have in mind to put this on paper for it to be formulated and worded in some way. W translator y including how to improve it and following up with the discussion that our president s had in helsinki and hamburg and recently in osaka. I think theyll be in the not too distant future some significant announcements about economic efforts between our two countries and we hope to be able to do that before too terribly long. Radio broadcasting company. During your recent interview you said that President Trump asked you to work on improving business relations between the two countries, and at the same time, as we know, the u. S. Has imposed sanctions on a number of sectors of the economy, and how are you going to improve this relationship according to sanctions . Also id like to ask her under what conditions can sanctions be canceled . So considering that mass expulsion of diplomats that took place a few years ago and it is apparent that its harder to work for a consort departments of both russia and the u. S. , and we know that issuing visa is in trouble and also the official del gags and have you discussed this issue and how do you plan to reveal the work of the consulates. Is the u. S. Going to return russian diplomatic confidence and what the terms . Thank you so much. Now as for how meaningful it would be as for the efficiency of the word consular departments we talked about visas today. However, id like to give you some figures. As for u. S. Missions in the Russian Federation there are 155 diplomats more than in our missions that work in bilateral relations because 155 diplomats is a number of our representatives to the u. N. , and we were bringing diplomatic levels and bringing them to parity. We decided to not have the overall quota and those diplomats were not active in bilateral relations and moreover, theyve not had a right to deal with bilat eral relations than what the u. S. Had in russia. Unfortunately, our citizens have to wait for the interview, and in 40 days and thats more than 30 days only to take part in our interview and our american counterparts explain that as they would introduce all of their consular officers have departed and thats a right from any country to start the diplomatic mission. We also had to cut to the bone, and many consular officers have left. And our situation, there isnt a single case, and it was a longer wait for visa issuance and visas are provided within the with the same deadline as before this unpleasant development in our relations and believe it is of principal importance and the context of people and interparliamentarian and all parts of exchanges and the easier it is to travel for russians to meet americans and the easier it will be to build our relations and strengthen our partnership as i have certain perspective. I respond to that just for a moment and ill answer the questions you presented to me. Look, we count a little bit differently before mr. Lavrov gave you numbers. I dont want to get into the weeds into the number, but we measure those numbers of whos got how many diplomats and visas in a very different way, but whats important is we make sure were delivering on behalf of each of our two countries in a way that keeps each of our two countries consistent with the vienna conventions and consistent with the United States and russia and were determined to do that and there have been conversations among my team and for mr. Lavrovs team in the handful of weeks and were working to make sure that any of the problems we work through we can resolve and i am very confident that the u. S. Consular service is every bit as efficient as the Russian Consular Service and we can work between the two countries. You asked me about the commercial relationship between the two nations. I mentioned a moment ago in response to a previous question and we hope theres significant progress that we can announce here in the next short period of time about how we would move our economic relationship forward further. Before foreign minister lavrov spoke about the increase in trade over 25 increase in trade between the United States and russia over the course of the Trump Administration. We hope we can continue to do that. Thats been done in the face of what are significant sanctions and sanctions that we believe are appropriate given u. S. Policy and law with the risks presented and we vrthink we can deliver with each of our objectives and we will continue to do so in a way thats consistent with our relationships. Thank you for your questions. Thank you. Campaign 2020 coverage continues this evening with remarks from President Trump at a Campaign Rally in hershey, pennsylvania. Hell speak to voters a