In a significant step toward stabilizing diplomatic relations, delegations from the United States and Russia met in Istanbul, Turkey, on February 27, 2025, to discuss challenges affecting the operations of their respective embassies. The meeting followed an agreement between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to address bilateral diplomatic concerns.
Key Issues Discussed
The U.S. delegation, led by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe, and the Russian delegation, headed by Ambassador Aleksandr Darchiyev, Director of the North Atlantic Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, engaged in discussions to resolve ongoing operational challenges faced by both nations’ diplomatic missions.
The United States raised concerns regarding:
✔ Restricted access to banking and contracted services for U.S. diplomatic operations in Russia.
✔ The need for stable and sustainable staffing levels at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
Through constructive dialogue, both sides identified initial steps toward stabilizing embassy operations and ensuring that diplomatic personnel can perform their duties effectively.
Future Diplomatic Engagements Planned
As part of their ongoing commitment to resolving bilateral mission concerns, Deputy Assistant Secretary Coulter and Ambassador Darchiyev agreed to hold a follow-up meeting in the near future. The date, location, and representation for the next round of discussions will be determined through further diplomatic channels.
While tensions remain between Washington and Moscow on various geopolitical issues, this meeting in Istanbul represents a diplomatic effort to maintain functional bilateral engagement and uphold the integrity of diplomatic relations.