Russia, US Plan New Round of Talks in Coming Weeks

The notable shift here is tonal rather than substantive: a dialogue described as deadlocked in June is now framed as slow but ongoing, with a new round already scheduled. That matters for markets only indirectly, since the agenda is bilateral relations rather than sanctions or asset-specific policy, and no deliverables are attached. Ryabkov's own caveat — progress slower than expected — suggests the cadence is being preserved for its own sake. Whether these talks produce anything concrete, or remain a channel-keeping exercise, is the open question.