U.S. and Russia: Advances Achieved in Second Round of Talks in Istanbul
On Thursday, the United States and Russia announced that they had made strides in normalizing the operations of their diplomatic missions following the completion of their second round of discussions on reinstating diplomatic activities in Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city.
TroibNews 
The United States and Russia announced on Thursday that they had made strides towards normalizing their diplomatic missions, concluding their second round of discussions in Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city, focused on restoring diplomatic operations.
The talks were conducted by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe Sonata Coulter and Alexander Darchiev, Russia's new ambassador to Washington. This meeting followed initial discussions held in February.
After around five hours of meetings with the Russian delegation, the U.S. representatives departed from the Russian consulate in Istanbul on Thursday afternoon.
In a press release, the Russian consulate indicated that advancements were made regarding banking and financial services for both Russian and U.S. diplomatic missions during this latest round of bilateral discussions.
According to the statement, the delegations "exchanged diplomatic notes to formalize agreed commitments. These commitments are designed to facilitate unimpeded banking and financial services for Russian and American diplomatic missions, in addition to ensuring the fulfillment of the Russian Federation's contributions to the budgets of the UN and other international organizations."
The representatives also "agreed to develop a roadmap" for the return of six diplomatic properties that U.S. authorities had confiscated but are lawfully owned by Russia, as noted by the consulate.
During the talks, they discussed "easing visa processing and travel regulations for diplomatic staff within the host countries," and the Russian delegation advocated for the resumption of direct air flights between the two nations.
The timing for the next round of discussions is "currently under coordination," the consulate added.
The U.S. State Department, in their statement, said that Thursday's talks continued "the constructive approach" established in the February 27 meeting. However, they expressed ongoing concerns regarding a Russian policy that restricts the hiring of local staff.
On Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce mentioned that Ukraine was not part of the discussions.
In recent years, both Washington and Moscow have expelled numerous diplomats from each other's countries, which has significantly impeded the functionality of their diplomatic missions.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
The talks were conducted by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe Sonata Coulter and Alexander Darchiev, Russia's new ambassador to Washington. This meeting followed initial discussions held in February.
After around five hours of meetings with the Russian delegation, the U.S. representatives departed from the Russian consulate in Istanbul on Thursday afternoon.
In a press release, the Russian consulate indicated that advancements were made regarding banking and financial services for both Russian and U.S. diplomatic missions during this latest round of bilateral discussions.
According to the statement, the delegations "exchanged diplomatic notes to formalize agreed commitments. These commitments are designed to facilitate unimpeded banking and financial services for Russian and American diplomatic missions, in addition to ensuring the fulfillment of the Russian Federation's contributions to the budgets of the UN and other international organizations."
The representatives also "agreed to develop a roadmap" for the return of six diplomatic properties that U.S. authorities had confiscated but are lawfully owned by Russia, as noted by the consulate.
During the talks, they discussed "easing visa processing and travel regulations for diplomatic staff within the host countries," and the Russian delegation advocated for the resumption of direct air flights between the two nations.
The timing for the next round of discussions is "currently under coordination," the consulate added.
The U.S. State Department, in their statement, said that Thursday's talks continued "the constructive approach" established in the February 27 meeting. However, they expressed ongoing concerns regarding a Russian policy that restricts the hiring of local staff.
On Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce mentioned that Ukraine was not part of the discussions.
In recent years, both Washington and Moscow have expelled numerous diplomats from each other's countries, which has significantly impeded the functionality of their diplomatic missions.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
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