Russia, U.S. Discuss Restoring Direct Flights and Diplomacy in Istanbul

Delegations from Russia and the United States met in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss ways to ensure the uninterrupted financing of their diplomatic missions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on February 28.

The ministry added that Russia had proposed restoring direct air travel between the two countries.

“In accordance with the instructions of the heads of the foreign policy departments, ways to overcome numerous ‘irritants’ inherited from previous American administrations were discussed in detail. Joint steps were agreed upon to ensure unimpeded financing of the activities of the diplomatic missions of Russia and the United States on a reciprocal basis and to create appropriate conditions for diplomats to perform their official duties,” the statement read.

The ministry also said the talks emphasized the need for “practical results” to improve bilateral relations. “In concrete terms, the American side was asked to consider the possibility of restoring direct air traffic,” it added.

The Russian delegation was led by Alexander Darchiev, Director of the North Atlantic Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, while the U.S. was represented by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Policy on Russia and Central Europe.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing Thursday that a major issue in U.S.-Russia relations was the lack of direct communication between the two countries. “That was the main irritant—the lack of opportunity to just communicate with each other,” she said. “Because as soon as there is communication, there is a chance to find mutually acceptable solutions or mutual understanding.”

Earlier, on February 27, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, where he reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s support for Ukraine, NATO, and transatlantic security.