US and Russia agree to meet again after ‘constructive’ talks in Istanbul

"The United States raised concerns regarding access to banking and contracted services as well as the need to ensure stable and sustainable staffing levels at the US Embassy in Moscow," the press release states.

The American government agency added that during the constructive discussions, both sides identified specific initial steps toward stabilizing their bilateral missions in these areas.

As clarified by the State Department, the US delegation at the meeting in Istanbul was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter, while the Russian delegation was headed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs North Atlantic Department Director Ambassador Aleksandr Darchiyev. The parties agreed to hold another meeting.

"Deputy Assistant Secretary Coulter and Ambassador Darchiyev agreed to hold a follow-up meeting on these issues in the near term, with the date, location, and representation to be determined," the State Department reported.

Yesterday’s meeting in Istanbul (Türkiye) took place after the US and Russia agreed to begin talks on this issue following a meeting in Saudi Arabia last week.

In particular, the officials described the US Embassy in Moscow as being in a difficult situation due to restrictions imposed by the Russian government.

"Our embassy in Moscow is barely functioning. It literally barely operates because it’s been denied access to the banking system. That has to be fixed. If we close our mission in Russia, we have to close their mission here, and then we really have no communication with them, whether it’s a detained American or some other item," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained in an interview.

For more details on the second US-Russia meeting this month, read our material on the topic.