For the first time in years, the United States and Russia say they are making headway toward restoring the basic functions of their embassies.
Diplomatic teams from both sides met on Thursday at Russia’s consulate in Istanbul, continuing talks that began in February, far from the frontlines of Ukraine but still overshadowed by war. The U.S. State Department described the discussion as “constructive” and said both delegations agreed to continue.
At the top of the American list was a longstanding grievance — Russia’s prohibition on employing local staff at the U.S. embassy in Moscow. Washington says that rule is making it nearly impossible to keep its diplomatic presence operational. Moscow, for its part, is demanding the return of access to several diplomatic properties that have been seized or restricted in the U.S.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter led the U.S. side, while Russia’s new ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev, led the Russian delegation. The two sides sat down for six hours, but stayed far from the thornier issues like Ukraine.
Still, both described the outcome positively. Darchiev said the talks allowed movement toward the goal set by Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin — to get embassies back to working order.
“The focus now is on sorting through the proposals quickly,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry posted on Telegram, signalling the next round is already in planning.
Beyond staffing and property, the delegations also addressed a key practical concern — banking. The U.S. said both sides exchanged notes on stabilising financial operations for diplomatic missions, an issue made complicated by sanctions and restrictions on cross-border payments.
Discussions also touched on the resumption of direct U.S.–Russia flights, a small step that would carry weight, particularly for business ties and family visits that have grown more difficult since the war began.
Years of mistrust, surveillance complaints and travel restrictions have left the embassies in both countries barely functional. American diplomats report movement limits inside Russia, while Moscow says Western sanctions have made basic financial operations nearly impossible.
Both sides now appear to agree on one thing — diplomacy cannot function if embassies do not.
Russia said it remains unclear whether Ukraine will observe a temporary ceasefire declared for Victory Day, as Kyiv calls for a longer, unconditional truce.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended the deadline until September 10 for foreigners who have violated migration rules to either legalize their stay in Russia or leave the country.
Russia has reiterated its willingness to engage in direct talks with Ukraine, but stressed that international recognition of its control over five Ukrainian regions, including Crimea, is "imperative" for any potential settlement of the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump wants a lasting ceasefire to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.
Kyiv on Monday said Moscow must immediately end hostilities in Ukraine if it genuinely desires peace, responding to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a unilateral three-day ceasefire.
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Amazon says it never planned to display Trump-era tariffs on product pages, disputing a report that drew a sharp response from the White House.
Nearly 39,000 people have been deported to Mexico since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, and 33,000 of them are Mexican nationals, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday.
Prince William and Princess Kate marked their 14th wedding anniversary Tuesday with a rare joint appearance on Mull and Iona, their first major public trip since the princess’s cancer treatment.
Estonia’s defense minister Hanno Pevkur says the U.S. will keep its 80,000 troops in Europe, calling bases like Ramstein and Naples crucial to NATO’s eastern shield and American power projection despite Washington’s growing Indo-Pacific focus.
Amazon says it never planned to display Trump-era tariffs on product pages, disputing a report that drew a sharp response from the White House.
Nearly 39,000 people have been deported to Mexico since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, and 33,000 of them are Mexican nationals, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday.
Prince William and Princess Kate marked their 14th wedding anniversary Tuesday with a rare joint appearance on Mull and Iona, their first major public trip since the princess’s cancer treatment.
Estonia’s defense minister Hanno Pevkur says the U.S. will keep its 80,000 troops in Europe, calling bases like Ramstein and Naples crucial to NATO’s eastern shield and American power projection despite Washington’s growing Indo-Pacific focus.
Mark Carney walked into the Prime Minister’s Office on Wellington Street Tuesday morning, his first official act after steering the Liberals to a decisive election triumph and reclaiming the reins of Canada’s government.
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