Russia and US to hold talks in Turkey on diplomatic and business ties

Russia and the United States will hold a new round of diplomatic talks in Istanbul on Thursday, focusing on resolving bilateral disputes and improving diplomatic conditions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced. The meeting is part of a broader effort to reset relations and explore potential economic cooperation amid ongoing discussions about ending the war in Ukraine.

Lavrov stated that the talks would primarily address the working conditions of Russian diplomats in the US and American diplomats in Russia, following years of tension over embassy staffing and property disputes. The outcome of the meeting will indicate how quickly progress can be made, he added.

The talks follow recent high-level engagements, including a call between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on February 12 and a meeting between senior Russian and US officials in Saudi Arabia on February 18. While Trump has expressed a desire for a swift ceasefire in Ukraine, Putin has emphasized the need to rebuild trust before any major agreements can be reached.

According to Lavrov, the upcoming discussions will initially focus on technical and diplomatic matters before expanding to broader geopolitical issues. He blamed previous US policy under President Joe Biden for creating obstacles to diplomatic engagement, which Moscow had responded to in kind.