Russia, US delegations convene in Istanbul, agree on follow-up meeting

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Feb 2025 09:10

During the talks, the US delegation raised concerns regarding access to banking and contracted services, as well as the need to maintain stable and sustainable staffing levels at its embassy in Moscow.

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The US Embassy with a US national flag is seen behind a building with a Russian national flag in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, November 5, 2024. (AP)

American and Russian delegations convened Thursday in the Turkish capital Istanbul following an agreement between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to initiate discussions on matters affecting the operations of their respective diplomatic missions, the Department of State stated.

According to the statement, the US delegation was led by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe, while the Russian delegation was headed by Ambassador Aleksandr Darchiyev, Director of the North Atlantic Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the talks, the United States raised concerns regarding access to banking and contracted services, as well as the need to maintain stable and sustainable staffing levels at its embassy in Moscow, indicated the State Department.

It also pointed out that through constructive dialogue, both sides identified concrete initial steps to stabilize bilateral mission operations in these areas.

The statement confirmed that Deputy Assistant Secretary Coulter and Ambassador Darchiyev agreed to hold a follow-up meeting in the near future to continue discussions, with the date, location, and level of representation yet to be determined.

On its part, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Russia and the United States discussed ways to overcome the numerous "irritants" in the bilateral relations at the meeting in Istanbul.

"In accordance with the instructions of the foreign ministers, ways to overcome the numerous 'irritants' inherited from previous US administrations were discussed in detail," the ministry said.

"The importance of practical results aimed at creating conditions for improving bilateral relations in the interests of the peoples of our countries was emphasized," the statement said.

It revealed that the meeting in Istanbul was held in a meaningful and businesslike manner, asserting that dialogue through this channel will continue.

The ministry also revealed that Moscow and Washington have agreed on joint steps for the unhindered financing of the countries' diplomatic missions.

"[The sides] have agreed on joint steps to ensure unimpeded financing of the activities of the diplomatic missions of Russia and the United States on a reciprocal basis and to create appropriate conditions for diplomats to carry out their official duties," the ministry said in a statement.

The delegations have also touched upon issues related to Russia's diplomatic property in the United States "in the context of the return to the Russian side of six real estate properties illegally seized in the period 2016-2018," the statement read.

Additionally, the Russian delegation has proposed to the US consider the possibility of restoring direct flights, the ministry said.

The Kremlin had described US-Russia relations as being "below zero" under President Joe Biden, who has supported Ukraine with military aid and imposed sanctions on Moscow in response to the war.

However, President Donald Trump, who has pledged to swiftly end the war, has dramatically shifted US policy by initiating talks with Russia. This began with a phone call to President Vladimir Putin on February 12, followed by a high-level diplomatic meeting in Saudi Arabia six days later.

According to Russia's state news agency TASS, Thursday’s talks—held at the gated residence of the US consul general in Istanbul—lasted approximately six hours and concluded without any statements to the press.

Ukraine and its European allies have expressed concern that Trump’s rapid rapprochement with Moscow could lead to a peace agreement that sidelines them and compromises their security. Trump, however, has emphasized his goal of securing an early ceasefire to end the bloodshed.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the Istanbul talks were intended as the first in a series of engagements aimed at building trust and addressing "irritants" in bilateral relations.

Over the past decade, Russia and the United States have engaged in tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and staffing restrictions, leaving their embassies severely understaffed.

A US State Department spokesperson, speaking ahead of the meeting, clarified, "To be clear, there are no political or security issues on the agenda. Ukraine is not  on the agenda."

"The constructiveness of these talks will become apparent very quickly; either issues will get resolved or they won’t. We will know soon if Russia is really willing to engage in good faith," the spokesperson added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the outcome of the meeting would determine "how quickly and effectively we can move." He acknowledged that Russia had imposed "uncomfortable conditions" on US diplomats in Moscow, describing it as a retaliatory measure against Washington’s treatment of Russian diplomats.