In a refreshing diplomatic exchange in Istanbul, U.S. and Russian delegations met at the Russian consulate on Thursday for a second round of talks focused on reviving the operations of their respective embassies and consulates. Recent years saw both sides expelling numerous diplomats, which greatly hindered the daily functions of these key missions.
The discussions were led by Russia's newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, alongside U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter. According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, "Ukraine is not, absolutely not on the agenda," underlining that the talks remain strictly about normalizing embassy operations rather than broader bilateral relations. The restoration of diplomatic missions is seen as an essential step in rebuilding functional channels between the two powers.
This follow-up session, building on an initial meeting from February 27, marks a cautious yet hopeful approach towards re-establishing effective diplomatic communication. As global observers keep an eye on these talks, the focus remains on making the embassies work smoothly again, ensuring that future interactions are based on clear, operational improvements.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story, and join the conversation on how these talks might reshape international diplomatic exchanges! 😊
Reference(s):
U.S., Russia hold fresh talks on restoring diplomatic missions
cgtn.com
