US policy shift align with Moscow's vision, Kremlin says
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The Kremlin Spokesperson's statement comes as the United States and Russia hold talks in Istanbul to move toward better diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
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US President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (AP)
The Kremlin said that the United States' shift in foreign policy aligns with Moscow's vision, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in an interview aired on Sunday, where he said, "The new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations. This largely coincides with our vision."
"There is a long way to go, because there is huge damage to the whole complex of bilateral relations. But if the political will of the two leaders, President Putin and President Trump, is maintained, this path can be quite quick and successful," he added.
The United States has been focusing its efforts on mending the ties between Washington and Moscow, as the Trump administration continues to push towards an end to the war in Ukraine, with Trump initiating the shift by reaching out to the Russian President Valdimir Putin to discuss negotiations on February 12.
Russia, US hold talks in Istanbul
US and Russian delegations met in Istanbul on February 28, following the agreement between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to launch discussions on Issues impacting the functioning of their respective diplomatic missions, according to a US Department of State statement.
The United States expressed concerns regarding access to banking and contracted services and emphasized the importance of stable and sustainable staffing levels at its embassy in Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two countries discussed measures to overcome "irritants" obstructing bilateral relations "inherited from previous United States administrations," emphasizing the importance of achieving practical results to enhance bilateral relations for the benefit of both nations.
The ministry added that both sides agreed on joint measures to facilitate the unrestricted funding of Russian and U.S. diplomatic missions on a reciprocal basis and to ensure suitable conditions for diplomats to perform their duties.
The two delegations discussed problems surrounding Russia's diplomatic property in the US, specifically the return of six real estate properties seized in 2016-2018 to Russia, while the Russian delegation proposed the restoration of direct flights between the two countries.
The meeting in Istanbul follows a similar congregation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Russia and the United States agreed to launch efforts toward ending the war in Ukraine and strengthening economic and diplomatic relations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks to the Associated Press as the start of a dialogue, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called them "very useful," emphasizing that both parties actively listened and understood each other.
Rubio highlighted three main goals: Rebuilding embassy staff in Washington and Moscow, establishing a high-level team for Ukraine peace talks, and enhancing communication and economic cooperation.
