Russia aims to eliminate 'toxic legacy' in recent discussions with the US
Negotiations are set to focus on reestablishing bilateral diplomatic ties rather than addressing the Ukraine conflict, according to officials. Diplomatic delegations from Russia and the US have gathered in Istanbul, Türkiye, for private discussions....
TroibNews 
Negotiations are set to focus on reestablishing bilateral diplomatic ties rather than addressing the Ukraine conflict, according to officials.
Diplomatic delegations from Russia and the US have gathered in Istanbul, Türkiye, for private discussions. The Russian team is headed by Alexandr Darchiev, Moscow's newly appointed ambassador to Washington, while the US delegation is led by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, confirmed that the discussions aim to address “eliminating numerous obstacles, including technical ones, that complicate diplomatic operations.”
Ambassador Darchiev emphasized that Moscow is seeking to remove “the toxic legacy of the previous American administration.” He specifically highlighted the importance of having a “serious conversation” regarding the return of diplomatic properties seized by the US, which he described as “a key condition” for restoring normalized bilateral relations.
Darchiev identified that visa and financial restrictions, along with challenges in diplomatic mobility, create “a tight knot of problems.” He stated, “Now the Russian and American delegations are working together to untangle it.”
In a video released by Russian media on Thursday, a minibus was seen arriving at the gates of the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul.
Prior to the meeting, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce informed the press that “these talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalizing a bilateral relationship overall, which can only happen, as we've noted, once there is peace between Russia and Ukraine.” She indicated that political or security matters, including the Ukraine conflict, would not be part of these discussions.
A source familiar with the meeting indicated to TASS that it was anticipated to last several hours but would likely be shorter than the previous round of talks held on February 27.
These new discussions follow a period during which US President Donald Trump actively engaged in diplomacy with Russia, including efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Consequently, Washington and Moscow have gradually resumed contacts that were nearly nonexistent for about three years under former US President Joe Biden's administration.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
Diplomatic delegations from Russia and the US have gathered in Istanbul, Türkiye, for private discussions. The Russian team is headed by Alexandr Darchiev, Moscow's newly appointed ambassador to Washington, while the US delegation is led by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, confirmed that the discussions aim to address “eliminating numerous obstacles, including technical ones, that complicate diplomatic operations.”
Ambassador Darchiev emphasized that Moscow is seeking to remove “the toxic legacy of the previous American administration.” He specifically highlighted the importance of having a “serious conversation” regarding the return of diplomatic properties seized by the US, which he described as “a key condition” for restoring normalized bilateral relations.
Darchiev identified that visa and financial restrictions, along with challenges in diplomatic mobility, create “a tight knot of problems.” He stated, “Now the Russian and American delegations are working together to untangle it.”
In a video released by Russian media on Thursday, a minibus was seen arriving at the gates of the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul.
Prior to the meeting, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce informed the press that “these talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalizing a bilateral relationship overall, which can only happen, as we've noted, once there is peace between Russia and Ukraine.” She indicated that political or security matters, including the Ukraine conflict, would not be part of these discussions.
A source familiar with the meeting indicated to TASS that it was anticipated to last several hours but would likely be shorter than the previous round of talks held on February 27.
These new discussions follow a period during which US President Donald Trump actively engaged in diplomacy with Russia, including efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Consequently, Washington and Moscow have gradually resumed contacts that were nearly nonexistent for about three years under former US President Joe Biden's administration.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
