Journalists stand at the entrance of the Russian Consulate where American and Russian delegations meet for a second time, to discuss stabilising bilateral embassy operations, in Istanbul, Turkey, April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
U.S. and Russia Report Progress on Normalising Diplomatic Missions
April 10, 2025 — ISTANBUL — The United States and Russia stated on Thursday that they had made progress in efforts to restore the functionality of their diplomatic missions, following extended bilateral discussions held in Istanbul. However, Washington reiterated its concerns over a Russian policy that prohibits the employment of local staff at foreign missions.
The meeting, which followed initial talks in February, brought together U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe Sonata Coulter and Russia’s newly appointed ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev.
Constructive Dialogue Amid Strained Relations
According to a State Department spokesperson, Thursday’s discussions continued “the constructive approach” established during the prior February 27 consultations. The talks, which lasted approximately six hours, took place at the Russian consulate building in central Istanbul.
The State Department emphasized that while Ukraine was not on the meeting’s agenda, the U.S. raised ongoing concerns regarding Russia’s prohibition on employing local staff at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. This policy remains a significant barrier to maintaining adequate staffing levels at the diplomatic mission.
Russian Perspective and Points of Progress
Russia’s ambassador, Alexander Darchiev, told state news agency TASS that the meeting was productive and held in a positive atmosphere. He stated that the consultations enabled progress on the goal of restoring full diplomatic functions, an objective shared by the presidents of both nations.
Darchiev noted that both sides had also underscored the importance of resuming direct flights between Russia and the United States, which could help expand economic and people-to-people exchanges.
Follow-Up Actions and Future Consultations
The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement released on Telegram, affirmed that Moscow aims to promptly address the proposals discussed and expressed support for identifying mutually acceptable solutions during future rounds of talks. The timeline for the next meeting is still under discussion.
Among the practical outcomes of the Istanbul talks, both delegations exchanged notes to finalize an understanding on stabilising diplomatic banking channels for bilateral missions—a key issue given existing financial restrictions.
Longstanding Diplomatic Challenges
The diplomatic engagement comes after years of deterioration in U.S.–Russia relations, compounded by mutual accusations of harassment, asset freezes, and restrictive measures against embassy personnel.
Russia has cited difficulties in paying its diplomats due to Western sanctions, while U.S. diplomats have complained of restricted movements and bureaucratic hurdles in Russia. Both governments have also raised concerns about difficulties in credentialing and staffing.
Disputes Over Diplomatic Properties
Diplomatic property remains a contentious issue. The United States has placed restrictions on six Russian diplomatic facilities, including the Killenworth estate on Long Island, the Pioneer Point residence in Maryland, the Russian consulates in San Francisco and Seattle, and trade missions in Washington, D.C., and New York.
Despite ongoing tensions, the latest round of talks signals a potential thaw in bilateral diplomatic relations and a shared willingness to address operational challenges in a systematic and constructive manner.
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