For this reason, in the seating arrangement for the meeting, he requested a place directly facing the United States.
Literal
This-because [of-このため], talks [genitive-の] seating [genitive-の] arrangement [at-では], US [with-と] face-off sit place [object-を] sought.
Diplomatic-news register. このため ('because of this,' 'for this reason') is a formal written cause marker, more buttoned-up than だから. 相対する (あいたいする) is a formal verb meaning 'to face each other,' 'to be directly across from' — the あい prefix marks reciprocal action. Used figuratively: 相対する意見 ('opposing views'). 求める ('to seek, to request, to demand') is a formal verb for making a request — more serious than 頼む, typical of political/diplomatic contexts. The whole sentence describes positioning strategy in international talks.