US-Russia Delegations Meet in Istanbul... Discuss Embassy Normalization

Focus on Normalizing Diplomatic Missions and Resolving Conflicts
Ukraine Issue Not Discussed

Delegations from the United States and Russia met in Istanbul, Turkey, to discuss diplomatic issues between the two countries, including the normalization of embassy operations.

TASS and RIA Novosti reported that the meeting between the U.S. and Russian delegations, held privately at the U.S. Consulate General residence in Istanbul, concluded after 6 hours and 30 minutes.

The vehicle carrying the Russian delegation left the U.S. Consulate General without any separate press announcement.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that senior diplomats and experts from both countries were consulting on embassy operations.

Both sides focused on normalizing diplomatic mission operations and removing sources of conflict in bilateral relations, reportedly not addressing the Ukraine issue.

This meeting was the first working-level encounter following the phone call between President Putin and President Trump on the 12th and the ministerial-level meeting held in Saudi Arabia on the 18th.

Spokesperson Zakharova claimed that due to the Russia-hostile attitude and deliberate obstruction of embassy operations by the former President Joe Biden administration, Russia had no choice but to respond in kind, expressing hope that the meeting would promote trust-building between the two countries.

She said, "I hope today's meeting will be the first of a series of expert consultations that overcome differences between us and the U.S., strengthen trust, and bring us closer together."