Riyadh, Mar 24 (UNI) The negotiations between US and Russian delegations in Riyadh will be hold in a closed format, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Monday.

The negotiation has already started, Al Arabiya broadcaster reported earlier in the day. The Sputnik correspondent confirmed that the Russian delegation had arrived at the negotiation venue at Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Saudi Arabia’s state security service officers are asking journalists and others to leave the premises of the hotel and refrain from photo and video recording. Security personnel in vehicles are stationed throughout the hotel grounds, and entry into the building is strictly prohibited, the Sputnik correspondent reported.

The Russian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Russia is 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, which was discussed during the last phone call between the Russian and US presidents.

UNI SPUTNIK GNK