Russia and the U.S. to Hold Talks in Istanbul on Diplomatic Missions, Russian FM Says

Representatives of Russia and the United States are set to meet in Istanbul on February 27 to discuss issues related to the functioning of their diplomatic missions. The announcement was made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to reports from Russian state media.

Lavrov stated that the discussions will focus on addressing obstacles affecting the operations of the embassies of both countries. He emphasized that the meeting’s outcome would indicate the potential for progress in resolving these diplomatic issues.

The talks come amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and Washington, with diplomatic relations strained by a series of restrictions imposed in recent years. According to Lavrov, the meeting will provide an opportunity to assess the feasibility of restoring the efficiency of diplomatic engagements between the two countries.

While no further details have been disclosed, the meeting marks another round of diplomatic engagement between Russia and the US, following previous discussions on consular affairs and diplomatic personnel.

Earlier, U.S. and Russian representatives engaged in unofficial discussions on the war in Ukraine in Switzerland, including a recent meeting last week, according to Reuters on February 21. The talks, described as “Track Two” diplomacy, involved individuals with backgrounds in diplomacy and security but not acting as government officials.

It remains unclear whether any participants represented their respective governments or if Ukrainian representatives were present. Switzerland’s foreign ministry confirmed hosting such discussions, which are organized by non-state actors to facilitate exchanges related to the war.