Russian and US diplomats convened in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday for talks aimed at resolving disputes over operations of the embassies in Washington and Moscow.
The meeting marks a preliminary step in efforts to reset broader relations between the two nations and explore pathways to ending the war in Ukraine. The talks come amid a significant shift in US policy under President Donald Trump, who has moved swiftly to engage with Moscow since taking office last month.
Trump has pledged to fulfill his campaign promise of bringing a quick end to the war in Ukraine, a stance that contrasts sharply with the approach of his predecessor, Joe Biden, who imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia and provided extensive military aid to Ukraine.
The meeting in Istanbul follows a 12 February phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as a high-level diplomatic meeting in Saudi Arabia six days later. The Russian delegation arrived at the US consul general’s residence in Istanbul, with state media reporting that the talks were expected to last five to six hours.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov acknowledged that Russia had “created uncomfortable conditions” for US diplomats in Moscow, describing the actions as retaliation for Washington’s treatment of Russian diplomats. He expressed hope that the talks would demonstrate how quickly and effectively the two countries could move toward resolving their differences.
Concerns from Ukraine and Europe
Ukraine and its European allies expressed concerns that Trump’s rapid rapprochement with Moscow could lead to a peace deal that sidelines their interests and undermines their security. Trump has emphasised his desire to broker an early ceasefire to end the bloodshed in Ukraine.
However, Putin has tempered expectations of a quick resolution, stating that rebuilding trust between Russia and the US is essential before any significant progress can be made.
The talks in Istanbul are narrowly focused on resolving practical issues related to embassy operations, such as staffing levels, visas, and diplomatic banking. A US State Department spokesperson clarified that political or security issues, including Ukraine, are not on the agenda.
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.
More details on talks
While the talks are limited in scope, they represent an initial step in a process that could have far-reaching implications for US-Russia relations. Areas such as nuclear disarmament, economic cooperation, and joint ventures in resource extraction could be explored if trust is rebuilt.
Putin recently suggested that Moscow would be open to inviting the US to participate in joint projects to tap rare earth deposits in Russia and territories that Ukraine had lost.
The US delegation in Istanbul is led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter, while the Russian team is headed by Alexander Darchiev, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North America department. Darchiev is seen as a leading candidate to become Russia’s next ambassador to the US, a position that is currently vacant.
The outcome of the Istanbul talks will provide an early indication of whether Russia and the US can engage constructively to address longstanding disputes. While the immediate focus is on embassy operations, the discussions could pave the way for broader diplomatic efforts to address more contentious issues, including the war in Ukraine and strategic stability.
Trump to welcome Zelensky in Washington
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to sign an agreement to share his country’s mineral resources.
Zelensky described the bilateral deal as preliminary and said he wanted further agreements that included US security guarantees to deter Russia. However, Trump stated that the US would not provide guarantees “beyond… very much,” saying the responsibility should instead fall to Europe.
Trump also appeared to rule out the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO. He said Kyiv should “forget about” joining NATO, echoing Russia’s claims that the issue was a driving force behind the war.
We’re going to make a deal with Russia and Ukraine to stop killing people.
However, Zelensky reacted by saying that without security guarantees “we won’t have a ceasefire, nothing will work, nothing,” jeopardising further efforts to end the war.
