Lavrov Declares Upcoming Series of Discussions Between Russia and the US
A high-level meeting is scheduled to take place in Istanbul this week, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
According to the foreign minister, a high-level meeting is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Thursday.
High-level diplomats from Russia and the US will convene this week to discuss the operations of their embassies, as announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Qatar, Lavrov noted that the meeting is set for February 27 in Istanbul, Türkiye, and will focus on normalizing the functions of both countries’ embassies. The outcome of these discussions will significantly influence how “quickly and effectively we can move forward,” he added.
The agenda for the talks will include addressing “systemic issues” that have arisen from the “previous US administration’s unlawful actions to create artificial obstacles” affecting the Russian embassy’s operations, according to Lavrov.
The diplomatic relationship between Russia and the US has been marked by a history of tensions, which includes the mutual expulsion of embassy staff prior to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. A significant turning point occurred in late 2016 when President Barack Obama’s administration limited access for Russian diplomats to residences in New York and Maryland and seized additional Russian properties.
Under President Joe Biden, tensions increased further, resulting in operational restrictions on embassies in both countries, which have greatly impacted staffing and overall embassy functions.
Since 2023, Ambassador Lynne Tracy has led the US diplomatic mission in Russia. Meanwhile, Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s former ambassador to the US, resigned from his position in October 2024. Reports from some Russian media outlets suggest that the Foreign Ministry has nominated Aleksandr Darchiev, the head of its North American Department, for the ambassador role. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova indicated to RIA Novosti this month that a candidate has been put forward but has yet to receive Washington’s approval.
This development follows high-level discussions between Russia and the US that took place in Saudi Arabia on February 18, where the two nations agreed to make efforts towards ending the Ukraine conflict and enhancing diplomatic and economic relations. Lavrov characterized the Riyadh meeting as a first step toward rebuilding relations, emphasizing the need for Moscow and Washington to “clean up the legacy” left by the Biden administration. He noted that promptly appointing ambassadors in Washington and Moscow would be a vital move toward restoring full-scale cooperation.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
High-level diplomats from Russia and the US will convene this week to discuss the operations of their embassies, as announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Qatar, Lavrov noted that the meeting is set for February 27 in Istanbul, Türkiye, and will focus on normalizing the functions of both countries’ embassies. The outcome of these discussions will significantly influence how “quickly and effectively we can move forward,” he added.
The agenda for the talks will include addressing “systemic issues” that have arisen from the “previous US administration’s unlawful actions to create artificial obstacles” affecting the Russian embassy’s operations, according to Lavrov.
The diplomatic relationship between Russia and the US has been marked by a history of tensions, which includes the mutual expulsion of embassy staff prior to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. A significant turning point occurred in late 2016 when President Barack Obama’s administration limited access for Russian diplomats to residences in New York and Maryland and seized additional Russian properties.
Under President Joe Biden, tensions increased further, resulting in operational restrictions on embassies in both countries, which have greatly impacted staffing and overall embassy functions.
Since 2023, Ambassador Lynne Tracy has led the US diplomatic mission in Russia. Meanwhile, Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s former ambassador to the US, resigned from his position in October 2024. Reports from some Russian media outlets suggest that the Foreign Ministry has nominated Aleksandr Darchiev, the head of its North American Department, for the ambassador role. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova indicated to RIA Novosti this month that a candidate has been put forward but has yet to receive Washington’s approval.
This development follows high-level discussions between Russia and the US that took place in Saudi Arabia on February 18, where the two nations agreed to make efforts towards ending the Ukraine conflict and enhancing diplomatic and economic relations. Lavrov characterized the Riyadh meeting as a first step toward rebuilding relations, emphasizing the need for Moscow and Washington to “clean up the legacy” left by the Biden administration. He noted that promptly appointing ambassadors in Washington and Moscow would be a vital move toward restoring full-scale cooperation.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
