US, Russia Hold Closed-Door Talks in Istanbul on Restoring Diplomatic Ties, Direct Flights

New talks between US and Russian representatives on diplomatic relations have begun in Istanbul, Turkey.

The meeting, held behind closed doors, is set to last several hours, shorter than the previous round of talks on Feb. 27, according to Russian media.

The Russian delegation is headed by its ambassador to the US, Alexander Darchiev, while the American side is led by Sonata Coulter, deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.

The main discussion topics include improving diplomatic relations and the functioning of embassies. Russia’s war in Ukraine is reportedly not on the agenda.

Russia would likely focus on restoring direct air traffic with the US, a matter Darchiev had recently mentioned concerning the Istanbul talks.

Direct flights between the US and Russia were suspended after Moscow’s full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

While some discussions are centered on restoring air traffic, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed doubts, stating he doesn’t understand who would fly the planes given the sanctions on Russia.

This meeting comes amid parallel negotiations involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine on the war. US-led “shuttle diplomacy” has managed to broker a 30-day ceasefire, but the different interpretations of said ceasefire have effectively meant no ceasefire was introduced, with Moscow continuing to strike Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.

Other Topics of Interest

Iran Warns Israel: Any Attack on Beirut Will Trigger Resumption of War

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that if Israel attacks Beirut, it will trigger a “return to war” and insisted that any ceasefire must apply to both Iran and Lebanon. He said Iran’s return to negotiations would be conditional on securing the rights of the Iranian people and ending what he called the war against Iran, Lebanon and the entire region.