U.S. and Russia Hold Fresh Talks to Repair Diplomatic Ties
In a bid to mend strained relations, delegations from the United States and Russia met again in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss restoring normal operations at their diplomatic missions. The meeting, held at the Russian consulate in the Turkish city, marks the second round of talks between the two nations.
Russia’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter led the discussions. The primary focus was on resolving issues that have been affecting the functioning of embassies and consulates in both countries.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized that the talks were strictly about diplomatic operations. “Ukraine is absolutely not on the agenda,” she stated. “These discussions are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalizing our overall bilateral relationship, which can only happen once there is peace between Russia and Ukraine.”
The first round of talks took place in Istanbul on February 27. The diplomatic missions of both nations have faced significant challenges in recent years, with numerous diplomats expelled from each side. These expulsions have severely limited the ability of their embassies and consulates to function effectively.
Restoring full diplomatic operations is essential for maintaining open lines of communication, especially during times of global uncertainty. Young people around the world are watching closely, hopeful that dialogue can lead to stability and cooperation.
