The United States and Russia held their second round of diplomatic talks in Istanbul, Türkiye, on April 10, with the aim of resolving long-standing staffing issues affecting bilateral relations between the two nations.
According to sources, a U.S. delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter met with a Russian delegation, headed by Ambassador Aleksandr Darchiyev, to discuss key concerns over Russian Federation policy prohibiting the employment of local staff at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. The Russian restriction has been identified as a major obstacle to maintaining stable and sustainable staffing levels at the embassy.
In continuation of their constructive discussions established during the February 27 meeting, the two delegations exchanged notes aimed at finalizing an understanding that would ensure stability in diplomatic banking for both countries' bilateral missions. The United States reiterated its concerns over this issue, emphasizing the need for a mutually beneficial approach to address it.
Following productive deliberations, Deputy Assistant Secretary Coulter and Ambassador Darchiyev agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting on these issues in the near term, with all necessary details to be determined at a later date and location. This meeting marks another significant step forward in efforts to find common ground between the two nations on pressing diplomatic matters.
The U.S.-Russia talks are part of ongoing attempts to strengthen bilateral ties and address long-standing differences between the two countries. As negotiations continue, international observers will closely monitor developments to see if these discussions yield positive outcomes for both sides.