Following the second round of talks between Russian and U.S. diplomats, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that Russia aims to engage in mutually respectful and beneficial dialogue with more nations.

On Thursday, diplomats from both countries met in Istanbul for a six-and-a-half-hour discussion on normalising relations. Peskov, when asked about ties with the U.S., emphasised Russia’s desire for respectful and mutually beneficial dialogue with all nations but declined to elaborate on the talks.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry described the discussions as “substantive and businesslike,” noting that the resumption of direct flights between Russia and the U.S. was discussed. President Vladimir Putin said the talks “inspired certain hope.”

Diplomatic contacts between Moscow and Washington have increased since a February 12 call between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The first high-level meeting occurred in Riyadh on February 18, focusing on diplomatic relations and embassy operations, with Ukraine also discussed. However, Ukraine was not on the agenda in the second round of talks.

Trump is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign an agreement on Ukraine’s rare earth metals. Peskov refrained from commenting on Trump’s remarks ahead of the meeting, saying, “Let’s wait for the results.”

He also addressed Sweden’s military intelligence chief’s call for stronger defense measures, stating that Russia is closely monitoring Sweden’s NATO activities and taking appropriate steps.

Copied