Russia, U.S. Diplomats Meet In Istanbul To Amend Ties

Russian and U.S. diplomats met in Turkey on Thursday for talks to resolve disputes over their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow, a first test of their ability to reset wider relations and work towards ending the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin last year described relations as “below zero” under the administration of Joe Biden, who backed Ukraine with aid and weapons and imposed waves of sanctions on Russia to punish it for its invasion in 2022.

But his successor, President Donald Trump, has upended that policy and moved swiftly since taking office last month to open talks with Moscow, pledging to fulfil his repeated promise to bring a quick end to the war.

The talks in Istanbul follow a phone call between Trump and President Vladimir Putin on February 12, and a high-level diplomatic meeting in Saudi Arabia six days later.

The Russian team arrived in a black Mercedes van for the meeting at the gated residence of the U.S. consul general in Istanbul. Russian state TV said the talks were expected to last five to six hours.

Putin this week tempered expectations of a quick deal, saying trust between Russia and the United States had to be rebuilt before anything could be achieved.

“No one expects solutions to come easily and quickly. The problem at hand is too complex and neglected,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

“But with the two countries’ political will, with a willingness to hear and listen to each other, I think we will be able to get through this working process.”

Downgraded Ties

Russia and the United States have expelled diplomats and limited the appointment of new staff at each other’s missions in tit-for-tat measures over the past decade, leaving their embassies thinly staffed.

The U.S. State Department said Thursday’s talks would cover issues such as staffing levels, visas and diplomatic banking.

“To be clear, there are no political or security issues on the agenda. Ukraine is not  on the agenda,” a State Department spokesperson said before the meeting.

“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.”

Reuters/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma