Istanbul Talks Between Russian and US Delegations Underway
Discussions between the Russian and US delegations in Istanbul have commenced, with the focus on diplomatic representations of the two nations, particularly the personnel of their embassies in Moscow and Washington.
The talks, which began without the presence of the press, involve unnamed Russian delegation members. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized the significance of the meeting, stating that high-ranking diplomats and experts will discuss systemic issues. The Russian side hopes to gain a clear perspective on further cooperation with Washington.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed the meeting, noting that the war in Ukraine is not on the agenda.
According to Reuters, the US State Department stated that the meeting is not about the situation in Ukraine, but rather a test of Moscow’s willingness to engage in genuine diplomacy.
This meeting is a continuation of the first direct talks between Russia and the US since the start of the war in Ukraine. The previous talks took place in Saudi Arabia, where the two sides agreed to a step-by-step resumption of relations. US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio said that if diplomatic channels are blocked, it will be challenging to discuss many topics, including those not directly related to Ukraine.
Moscow has listed several issues for Washington that are crucial for normalizing diplomatic relations, including financial questions and travel restrictions for diplomats.
In recent years, diplomatic tensions and reciprocal expulsions of diplomats have been a recurring issue. The US has expelled a total of 225 Russian diplomats from the country in the past 25 years. Russia responded by banning the US from hiring Russian citizens as embassy staff.
Another unresolved issue is the appointment of new ambassadors. While Russia waits for the confirmation of its ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev, the position of the US ambassador to Moscow remains open, with Richard Norland, a former US ambassador to Uzbekistan and Georgia, being discussed for the role.