ISTANBUL — Senior diplomatic delegations from Russia and the United States convened in Istanbul on Thursday for a second round of high-level consultations, aiming to tackle persistent issues surrounding the functioning of their embassies and broader bilateral tensions. These discussions, held at the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul, come amid ongoing efforts to stabilize diplomatic channels frayed by years of political hostility and tit-for-tat sanctions.
The Russian delegation, headed by Moscow’s Ambassador to Washington Alexander Darchiev, met with Sonata Coulter, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, who is leading the U.S. team. The talks are expected to last several hours, with both sides indicating that progress was being made on key matters despite the long-standing disagreements that have strained relations since 2014.
Deep-Rooted Issues on the Agenda
The Istanbul consultations focused on resolving practical and structural limitations affecting the daily operations of each country’s diplomatic missions. Among the major topics were diplomatic property disputes, visa processing obstacles, and financial restrictions that have complicated routine embassy functions.
One of Moscow’s central demands is the return of Russian diplomatic property, which it claims was unlawfully seized by the United States between 2016 and 2018. “We are prepared for a serious, in-depth discussion regarding the illegal seizure of our diplomatic real estate,” said Darchiev ahead of the meeting.
Washington has yet to make public any concessions on this point. However, both parties have acknowledged the need for functional embassies to manage the complexities of their international relationship, especially given ongoing geopolitical friction from the Ukraine war and wider global security issues.
Rebuilding Diplomatic Infrastructure
During the previous round of talks held in February—also in Istanbul—negotiators agreed to develop reciprocal frameworks for the uninterrupted financing of diplomatic missions. This initiative is crucial for embassies to manage operations such as paying local staff, maintaining facilities, and ensuring basic services for citizens abroad.
According to statements from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Thursday’s discussions also touched on freedom of movement for diplomatic personnel, an issue that has worsened in recent years with numerous travel restrictions imposed by both governments. Diplomats have frequently complained about limited mobility within the host nations, which impedes their capacity to perform consular and diplomatic tasks.
Russia, in particular, is pressing to eliminate what it refers to as the “toxic legacy” of past U.S. administrative policies, notably those implemented during the Trump administration. These included sweeping reductions in embassy staff, the closure of consulates, and a series of retaliatory expulsions that dramatically curtailed consular services.
Calls for Normalisation of Diplomatic Norms
Russian officials emphasized that restoring regular diplomatic functions was essential for repairing the wider relationship. As part of its proposals, Russia encouraged Washington to consider resuming direct flights between the two countries—a move that could signal a return to baseline diplomatic normalcy and allow easier engagement between both populations.
While the U.S. delegation has refrained from making any specific public commitments, the presence of Coulter and her team reflects a willingness to engage in technical negotiations. Washington, too, has long expressed concerns over the treatment of American diplomatic staff in Russia, where delays in visas and limitations on logistics have made embassy operations increasingly difficult.
“We are trying to clear out the cobwebs of dysfunction that have built up over a decade,” one U.S. official familiar with the process told sources. “It’s a slow process, but necessary.”
Limited Progress, but a Persistent Dialogue
Although no major breakthroughs have been announced, the resumption of these consultations in Istanbul points to a mutual recognition of the need for dialogue, even as geopolitical disagreements continue to dominate headlines. The ability to separate diplomatic logistics from political flashpoints could, both sides hope, help de-escalate some of the bilateral tension in a controlled and incremental manner.
According to Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, the latest meeting led to an agreement on joint measures ensuring unhindered financial operations for embassies and improving conditions for diplomatic personnel. This includes resolving procedural delays, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and guaranteeing secure communications for consular work.
Strained Diplomatic History
The current state of Russian-American diplomatic affairs remains shaped by years of mutual suspicion and reciprocal punitive measures. Following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the United States imposed sanctions that were followed by a series of retaliatory steps from Russia. The expulsion of dozens of diplomats, closures of consulates, and restrictions on embassy activities became almost routine over the past decade.
In 2017, Washington ordered the closure of three Russian diplomatic compounds, claiming they were being used for intelligence activities. Moscow responded by reducing the U.S. diplomatic presence in Russia. Subsequent escalations saw embassy staffing slashed to minimal levels, with consular services nearly paralyzed in both countries.
This breakdown in diplomatic infrastructure has had real-world consequences. Basic services like visa issuance, citizen assistance, and cultural exchanges have been disrupted. Analysts suggest that both nations are now coming to terms with the practical costs of diplomatic disengagement, hence the push to reestablish functional lines of communication.
The Istanbul Channel
By choosing Istanbul as the neutral venue for these talks, Russia and the United States appear to be carving out a pragmatic space for dialogue away from the formal corridors of Washington and Moscow. Turkey’s role as host has allowed both delegations to meet without the political baggage that often complicates direct exchanges in their own capitals.
The location offers logistical ease and a politically neutral ground, making it a viable option for technical negotiations that focus more on operational efficiency than grand strategy. This second round in Istanbul confirms that both parties are committed to continuing engagement, even amid persistent strategic rivalry.
Mutual Interests, Cautious Tone
Despite the slow progress, officials involved in the talks acknowledge that sustained engagement is preferable to diplomatic silence. Both countries recognize the strategic risks of a total breakdown in communication, particularly at a time when global conflicts and regional crises require open and reliable channels.
As the consultations wrapped up on Thursday, there were no immediate declarations of policy change or agreement, but the diplomatic language has noticeably softened. By focusing on logistics rather than politics, these meetings may help restore some predictability to a volatile relationship.
Russia’s insistence on the return of its diplomatic properties and America’s calls for greater transparency in staff operations highlight the transactional nature of the dialogue. However, the fact that talks have resumed at all suggests that both capitals see value in maintaining at least a minimal framework for cooperation.
The Istanbul consultations mark a tentative but important step in the long process of restoring workable diplomatic ties between Russia and the United States. By centering discussions on embassy operations, staff mobility, and financial logistics, both sides are addressing tangible issues that, if resolved, could pave the way for broader engagement. While geopolitical rifts remain deep, these negotiations reflect a mutual interest in preserving functional diplomacy, which may be the first real foundation for any future thaw in relations.
