A Russian delegation visited the U.S. consul general’s residence in Istanbul on Thursday for discussions aimed at addressing conflicts regarding the operations of their embassies in Washington and Moscow.
Although the discussions are limited in scope and will not cover the situation in Ukraine, they will serve as a gauge of both parties’ commitment to improving relations and seeking an end to the war.
This meeting follows a conversation between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on February 12 and a high-level diplomatic gathering in Saudi Arabia on February 18.
Having been in office for just over five weeks, Trump has reversed the approach of his predecessor Joe Biden, who aimed to isolate and penalize Russia for its aggression towards Ukraine.
Ukraine and its European partners are concerned that Trump’s desire for a swift resolution to the conflict could result in an agreement with Moscow that excludes them and compromises their safety.
The U.S. State Department indicated that Thursday’s discussions, which will be facilitated by lower-level officials, will not address Ukraine or any political or security matters, but they will still be interpreted as a measure of Moscow’s intentions.
“To clarify, there are no political or security topics on the agenda. Ukraine is not included in the agenda,” a spokesperson from the State Department stated.
“The effectiveness of these discussions will become evident quite quickly; either problems will be addressed or they won’t. We will soon find out if Russia is genuinely prepared to engage in good faith.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the discussions would aim at establishing improved conditions for Russian diplomats in the U.S. and their American counterparts in Russia, following a series of disputes over staffing and embassy properties.
The result “will indicate how swiftly and effectively we can progress,” Lavrov indicated.
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Trump has expressed a desire to rapidly move towards a ceasefire in Ukraine; however, Putin this week moderated expectations for swift advancements, noting that nothing could be accomplished without rebuilding trust between Russia and the United States.
