IRIA News

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Diplomats from the United States and Russia met in Istanbul on February 27, 2025, to discuss longstanding disputes over their embassies in Washington and Moscow. This marked the first direct negotiation on the issue under the new administration of President Donald Trump.

The high-level talks come amid growing concerns from Ukraine and its European allies that Trump’s eagerness to engage with Russia could lead to a peace deal that compromises their security. However, both Washington and Moscow have insisted that Thursday’s discussions focused solely on diplomatic operations, not broader political or security issues.

Over the past decade, U.S.-Russia relations have deteriorated significantly. A series of tit-for-tat measures, including the expulsion of diplomats, restrictions on embassy staffing, and the freezing of diplomatic bank accounts, have left both nations’ embassies in disarray. The U.S. State Department confirmed that Thursday’s talks centered on resolving these practical issues, including visa approvals and the reopening of consular services.

“To be clear, there are no political or security issues on the agenda. Ukraine is not on the agenda,” a State Department spokesperson stated before the meeting. “The constructiveness of these talks will become apparent very quickly; either issues will get resolved or they won’t. We will know soon if Russia is really willing to engage in good faith.”

📹 The Russian delegation, comprising experts on Russia-US relations, arrives at the venue of the talks with the US delegation in Istanbul pic.twitter.com/15fLz5rk8J

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) February 27, 2025

For Moscow, the embassy issue has been a point of contention for years. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov acknowledged that Russia had “created uncomfortable conditions” for U.S. diplomats in Moscow in response to Washington’s actions against Russian diplomats. Lavrov also stressed that the outcome of the Istanbul meeting “will show how quickly and effectively we can move.”

The Russian delegation, led by Alexander Darchiyev, head of the foreign ministry’s North America department, arrived at the U.S. Consul General’s residence in Istanbul in a black Mercedes van. The U.S. team was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter. According to Russian state media, the talks lasted around 5-6 hours.

The meeting follows a February 12 phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as a high-level diplomatic gathering in Saudi Arabia on February 18. These engagements signal a major shift from the policies of former President Joe Biden, whose administration imposed severe sanctions on Russia and provided substantial military aid to Ukraine in response to the 2022 invasion.

Since taking office last month, Trump has taken a dramatically different approach, moving quickly to engage Moscow in discussions aimed at de-escalating tensions. However, Russian officials remain cautious about the prospect of a rapid breakthrough.

“No one expects solutions to come easily and quickly. The problem at hand is too complex and neglected,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “But with the two countries’ political will, with a willingness to hear and listen to each other, I think we will be able to get through this working process.”

Broader relations

Despite their narrow focus, the discussions could serve as a first test of whether U.S.-Russia relations can be improved under the Trump administration. Observers suggest that success in these talks might open the door for future negotiations on nuclear arms control, economic cooperation, and even the eventual resolution of the war in Ukraine.

Economic ties are one area where both sides see potential benefits. Putin recently proposed joint U.S.-Russia projects for mining rare earth minerals in Russian-controlled territories, including parts of Ukraine that Moscow has claimed as its own. Peskov also mentioned the possibility of U.S.-Russia cooperation in the Arctic, though he clarified that no substantive discussions on the matter had taken place yet.

The Istanbul meeting also came amid speculation that Alexander Darchiyev, who led the Russian delegation, could soon be appointed as Russia’s next ambassador to the United States. The post has been vacant for months, and filling it could signal a renewed commitment to stabilizing diplomatic relations.

Ukraine and Europe on edge

While Washington and Moscow focus on rebuilding diplomatic channels, Ukraine and its European allies remain wary of Trump’s rapid diplomatic overtures. European leaders fear that a U.S.-Russia deal could come at their expense, especially if it leads to a rushed ceasefire in Ukraine that favors Moscow.

Putin himself has attempted to temper expectations, stating this week that rebuilding trust between Russia and the United States is a prerequisite for any major diplomatic breakthroughs.

Despite these concerns, Trump has made it clear that he wants to bring the war to a close as quickly as possible, arguing that prolonged conflict serves neither U.S. interests nor global stability. His approach represents a stark contrast to Biden’s policies, which emphasized military support for Ukraine and maintaining pressure on Russia through economic sanctions.

Lavrov and Coulter are expected to brief their respective governments on the discussions, and additional meetings could be scheduled depending on the progress made in Istanbul.