US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov’s meeting on Wednesday touched base on issues around the presence of Russia’s troops near the borders of Ukraine after the country a retraction recently. 

Blinken said the situation raised “deep concerns”, according to a statement from the State department’s spokesperson.

The nearly two-hour-long discussion between the foreign affairs officials of US and Russia also included mentions of Russia’s imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s health condition, which reportedly deteriorated in the last few months.

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However, Russia’s Lavrov seemed to view the discussion from an optimistic lens as he labeled it as “constructive” and “useful”. He said that both parties understood the need to mend ties and form a cooperative relationship.

“There is an understanding of the need to overcome the unhealthy situation in ties between Moscow and Washington,” the Russian foreign affairs officer said to state media safter the meeting.

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However, no information was disclosed on Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s acceptance or rejection of Washington’s proposal for a Biden-Putin summit.

Relations between the two countries have been strained since earlier this year, after Joe Biden took office as the President of the United States in January. Biden has pivoted the US foreign policy after former President Donald Trump’s administration was often accused of being lenient with Russia.