Russian and U.S. diplomats will meet in Istanbul to discuss diplomatic disputes, seen as a step toward ending the Ukraine war. Talks follow recent Putin-Trump discussions, with business ties and ceasefire prospects on the agenda.
Russian and U.S. diplomats will meet in Istanbul on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, for talks on resolving bilateral disputes that form part of a wider dialogue they see as crucial to ending the Ukraine war.
Lavrov said the talks would focus on creating better conditions for Russian diplomats in the United States and their U.S. counterparts in Russia, after a series of rows over staffing levels and embassy properties.
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.
Trump has said he wants to move quickly towards a ceasefire in Ukraine, but Putin this week tempered expectations of rapid progress, saying nothing could be achieved without restoring trust between Russia and the United States.
The agenda for Thursday's talks, as described by Lavrov, signals that the two sides will focus first on technical barriers to diplomatic relations before moving on to more ambitious goals. He blamed the situation on the administration of Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden.
"Our high-level diplomats, experts, will meet and consider the systemic problems that have accumulated as a result of the illegal activities of the previous administration to create artificial obstacles for the activities of the Russian embassy, to which we, naturally, reciprocated and also created uncomfortable conditions for the work of the American embassy in Moscow," Lavrov said.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
As talks progress, both countries have said they want to explore the possibility of lucrative business ventures, as well as seeking an end to the Ukraine war. Putin said this week that Moscow would be ready to invite the U.S. to enter joint projects to tap rare earth deposits in Russia and in the parts of Ukraine that it has claimed as its own territory.
Trump's rapid moves to repair relations with Russia, reversing Biden's policy of trying to isolate Russia with sanctions, have raised fears in Kyiv and among its European allies that they could be sidelined in any potential deal.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated on Wednesday that there was an understanding that Trump and Putin should meet in person after thorough preparation, but said there were no details yet on when and where this would happen.
He said the two leaders could speak again by phone if needed, but there were no current plans for this.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated he would participate in upcoming talks on the war in Ukraine only if President Putin is also present, as diplomatic efforts led by the U.S. focus on securing a temporary ceasefire.
Two senior US envoys are expected to attend the upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, where Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has confirmed his participation and invited Russia’s Vladimir Putin, according to US media reports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be essential for reaching a ceasefire, ahead of proposed talks in Istanbul later this week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated he will only attend peace talks in Istanbul if Russian President Vladimir Putin also takes part, while the Kremlin remains noncommittal on who will represent Russia.
The Kremlin on Tuesday addressed the United Nations aviation council's ruling regarding the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, expressing concerns about the investigation's impartiality and reiterating its position on the matter.
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Newly elected pontiff Pope Leo XIV has officially joined platforms like X and Instagram, with the Vatican confirming the activation of his social media accounts.
During a phone call Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed opportunities for peace in the Ukraine-Russia war, as well as bilateral relations and regional developments during a phone call.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 14th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump announced the removal of long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria and secured a $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia during his visit to the Gulf, signaling a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.
A powerful sandstorm struck Erbil, the northern Iraqi city, on Tuesday, May 13, severely disrupting daily life and significantly reducing visibility across the area.
Newly elected pontiff Pope Leo XIV has officially joined platforms like X and Instagram, with the Vatican confirming the activation of his social media accounts.
A 5.9 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Jalisco, Mexico.
President Donald Trump announced the removal of long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria and secured a $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia during his visit to the Gulf, signaling a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.
Azerbaijan’s Space Agency delegation, Azercosmos, is attending SATExpo Middle East 2025 in Dubai, a leading event focused on satellite technology and the expanding space economy.
A powerful sandstorm struck Erbil, the northern Iraqi city, on Tuesday, May 13, severely disrupting daily life and significantly reducing visibility across the area.
Newly elected pontiff Pope Leo XIV has officially joined platforms like X and Instagram, with the Vatican confirming the activation of his social media accounts.
During a phone call Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed opportunities for peace in the Ukraine-Russia war, as well as bilateral relations and regional developments during a phone call.
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