**US and Russia to Hold Talks on Normalizing Embassy Operations**
In a bid to improve relations between the two countries, delegates from the US and Russia will meet in Turkey this Thursday. The talks, which will take place at the Russian consulate in Istanbul, are focused on normalizing embassy operations between the two nations.
The meeting is part of ongoing efforts by both sides to ease tensions and rebuild diplomatic ties. However, according to the US State Department, these talks will not involve any discussion of political or security issues, including the conflict in Ukraine. “Ukraine is not, absolutely not, on the agenda,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
The Russian delegation will be led by Alexander Darchiev, the newly appointed ambassador to the US, while the US team will be headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter. This meeting marks the second round of talks between the two countries since relations were strained following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
**A Fragile Thaw**
The past decade has seen a significant deterioration in diplomatic ties between Washington and Moscow, with both sides expelling numerous diplomats and restricting the appointment of new officials. However, there have been some efforts to ease tensions, particularly under the Trump administration.
In February, US and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia for their first face-to-face talks since the invasion to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine. While progress has been slow, these meetings demonstrate a willingness by both sides to engage in dialogue.
**A Long Road Ahead**
While Thursday’s talks are an important step towards normalizing embassy operations, it is clear that a full normalization of bilateral relations between the US and Russia remains a distant goal. As Bruce noted, “once there is peace between Russia and Ukraine,” then the two countries can focus on rebuilding their relationship.
The upcoming meeting in Turkey is a sign that both sides are committed to exploring ways to improve diplomatic ties, but it will likely take time for trust to be rebuilt and for significant progress to be made. As Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said, “the second round of normalisation talks will take place in the coming days.”
For now, Thursday’s talks represent a small step towards easing tensions between the US and Russia.