US-Russia Talks Begin in Istanbul to Revive Diplomatic Missions
US-Russia talks resumed in Istanbul on Thursday, marking a rare moment of cooperation between two nuclear powers who have seen diplomatic ties erode sharply since the Ukraine war began in 2022. The discussions aim to resolve long-standing issues affecting embassy operations, without touching on the wider conflict in Eastern Europe.
Delegations from both countries arrived in Istanbul amid heavy security. Reuters footage showed black diplomatic vehicles entering the Russian consulate, located in the heart of the Turkish city.
A Narrow Focus: Just Embassies, Not Ukraine
Leading the talks are Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s new ambassador to the U.S., and Sonata Coulter, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. According to both sides, the US-Russia talks will only address the logistics and safety of diplomatic missions.
“Ukraine is not, absolutely not on the agenda,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce earlier this week. “These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalizing a bilateral relationship overall.”
Years of Diplomatic Strain
Diplomatic ties between Washington and Moscow have been under pressure for years. Even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both countries accused each other of harassment and surveillance. Since the war began, things have only worsened.
U.S. diplomats in Russia face movement restrictions and report constant monitoring. On the other side, Russia says Western sanctions have made even routine tasks like paying embassy staff nearly impossible.
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Frozen Properties and Tightened Visas
One major point of discussion in the US-Russia talks is the fate of Russian diplomatic properties in the U.S. Six such properties have been restricted, including the historic Killenworth estate in Long Island and the Pioneer Point residence in Maryland.
In addition to property disputes, visa delays and rejections have made it hard for embassies to function. Both countries have struggled to staff their consulates properly, and cultural exchanges and services for citizens have been severely limited.
Why Istanbul?
Choosing Istanbul as the meeting point isn’t just symbolic—it’s strategic. Turkey has maintained close ties with both the U.S. and Russia, even acting as a mediator in past talks on other issues like grain shipments from Ukraine. Its neutral ground makes it an ideal setting for cautious diplomacy.
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A Step, Not a Reset
While the US-Russia talks are important, they don’t signal a broader thaw in relations. As Bruce emphasized, full diplomatic normalization will depend on achieving peace in Ukraine—a goal that still seems distant.
Still, reopening a channel of communication, even a narrow one, is significant. As global tensions rise, especially in Europe and the Middle East, even limited cooperation between Moscow and Washington could help prevent further escalation.
Looking Ahead
For now, the world will watch how these embassy-focused talks unfold. If successful, they could pave the way for more technical discussions, and maybe, one day, even political dialogue.
But for now, the priority is simple: keep embassies running, protect diplomats, and maintain at least one functioning line of contact.
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