U.S.-Russia delegations to meet in Istanbul to discuss embassy operations

American and Russian diplomats will meet again in Istanbul on April 10 to focus exclusively on stabilising embassy operations between the two countries, the U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce made clear that the talks will not address political or security matters, stressing that “Ukraine is not, absolutely not on the agenda.”

“These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations,” Bruce told reporters. “They are not about normalising the broader relationship, which remains tied to peace in Ukraine.”

The discussions will take place at the Russian consulate in Istanbul, according to diplomatic sources.

Delegations will be led by Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s newly appointed ambassador to Washington, and Sonata Coulter, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. The talks follow a similar meeting in Istanbul in February, which aimed at improving working conditions for diplomats.

Over the past decade, Washington and Moscow have engaged in a series of tit-for-tat expulsions and staffing limitations, leaving both embassies operating under strain.

Tuesday’s announcement came shortly after Russian state media confirmed the meeting and reiterated that only diplomatic logistics—not political matters—will be discussed.

Although previous meetings between U.S. and Russian officials have included war-related issues, such as a February round in Riyadh, this upcoming session is strictly limited to embassy functioning, both sides affirmed.

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