U.S. and Russian officials will meet in Istanbul on Thursday to address the normalization of embassy operations in Washington and Moscow, marking a critical step toward rebuilding diplomatic relations between the two nations.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Diplomatic representatives from the United States and Russia are set to meet in Istanbul on Thursday, February 27, to discuss the operational status of their embassies in Washington and Moscow. This meeting follows high-level talks in Saudi Arabia last week and signals an effort to reestablish bilateral relations, which had reached Cold War-era tensions under the previous U.S. administration.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed the meeting, emphasizing that the discussions will focus on overcoming the diplomatic restrictions that have hampered embassy operations. Lavrov stated that U.S. and Russian “diplomats of high-level, experts” will meet to address “the systemic problems that have accumulated as a result of the unlawful activities of the previous [U.S.] administration to create artificial obstacles for the work of the Russian embassy, to which we, naturally, reciprocated and also created uncomfortable conditions for the work of the American embassy in Moscow.”
According to the Associated Press, the talks are part of a broader effort by both nations to de-escalate tensions, which includes ending years of diplomatic staff reductions due to mutual expulsions. During last week’s discussions in Riyadh, officials reportedly agreed to take the first steps toward normalizing ties and potentially working toward an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara has confirmed that American and Russian representatives will engage in technical discussions regarding their respective diplomatic missions. While the meeting marks a significant shift in relations, U.S. officials have made it clear that political and security matters are not currently on the agenda. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, as cited by Reuters, stated, “To be clear, there are no political or security issues on the agenda. Ukraine is not on the agenda.”
Despite this, Lavrov suggested that the outcome of the Istanbul meeting will be a key indicator of how quickly both sides can move toward more comprehensive agreements. “The outcome of the Istanbul talks – which follow a call between presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on February 12 and a high-level Russian-U.S. meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18 – will show how quickly and effectively we can move,” Lavrov said, according to Reuters.
As the dialogue progresses, officials from both countries have signaled interest in further cooperation, including potential business ventures and economic collaboration. The Kremlin has indicated that Russia is open to inviting U.S. companies to participate in joint projects, including those related to rare earth deposits in Russia and territories in Ukraine that Moscow claims.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that a formal meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin would take place “after thorough preparation,” but provided no details on timing or location.
While immediate diplomatic breakthroughs are unlikely, the meeting in Istanbul represents a notable shift in U.S.-Russia relations and underscores a renewed effort by both nations to restore functional diplomatic channels.
Leave a Comment