[Russian Foreign Minister: Russia and the U.S. Should 'Repair Bilateral Relations' as Soon as Possible] According to a report by Jinse Finance on September 24, citing information from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 23rd, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio in New York that discussions surrounding the prospects of Russia-U.S. economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and facilitating travel between the two countries have become increasingly active. Both sides should 'repair bilateral relations' as soon as possible based on the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders. Lavrov emphasized that Russia and the U.S. need to engage in frank dialogue to eliminate 'irritants' in their bilateral relations, promote the normalization of operations for their diplomatic institutions, and that the U.S. should return Russian assets that have been 'effectively confiscated' in the U.S. These are prerequisites for 'repairing bilateral relations' between Russia and the U.S. When discussing solutions to the Ukraine crisis, Lavrov pointed out that the Ukrainian authorities are closely cooperating with their 'European sponsors.' He reiterated that Russia will steadfastly pursue the objectives of its special military operation while also seeking to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict through political and diplomatic means, based on 'eliminating the root causes of the conflict.' (Xinhua News Agency)