Istanbul Talks: U.S. and Russian Officials Seek Diplomatic Normalization Amidst Ukraine Conflict

Officials from Russia and the United States convened in Istanbul on Thursday to address embassy-related matters, in an effort to improve bilateral relations, according to Russian news outlets.

The discussions took place at the residence of the U.S. consul general and came after this month’s initial high-level talks between the two nuclear nations, marking the first such meeting since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

While the identities of the attendees were not revealed, Russian state media outlet TASS reported that the Russian delegation included members from the Foreign Ministry.

The Istanbul meeting, which spanned approximately six hours, was focused on restoring the normal functioning of the diplomatic missions of both countries, following a series of reciprocal expulsions of embassy personnel in previous U.S. administrations.

Since assuming office last month, U.S. President Donald Trump has been working to reshape relations with Moscow, reaching out to Russian President Vladimir Putin and initiating high-level discussions for the first time in more than three years.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on February 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where they agreed to commence dialogue aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.

Later on Thursday, Putin expressed that the initial conversations with the United States had instilled «some hope» in resolving various «issues,» including the war in Ukraine.

«The first contacts with the new U.S. administration provide some optimism. There is a mutual willingness to collaborate in restoring relations,» the Kremlin leader stated during an annual meeting of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Turkey, a NATO member, has previously taken on a mediating role in the Ukraine conflict, facilitating direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv in March 2022.