Diplomatic normalization is a two-way street, Moscow has emphasized following a meeting with a delegation from Washington
Russia and the US have identified steps they both should take to restore normal operations of their diplomatic missions, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow has said, following negotiations in Türkiye.
Russian and US delegations met in Istanbul on Thursday, as the two nations seek to heal a diplomatic rift that deepened under the previous administration of President Joe Biden.
The discussions centered primarily on reinstating regular operations at the US Embassy in Moscow and the Russian Embassy in Washington, with the two sides identifying “concrete initial steps,” as previously noted by the US State Department. In a statement on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that normalization must be a two-way process.
Both nations have imposed various restrictions on each other in recent years, including limiting the number of diplomatic personnel, constraining banking access, and seizing diplomatic properties. Moscow argues that its sanctions are a direct response to actions taken by Washington.
The delegations were led by Aleksandr Darchiev, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic department, and Sonata Coulter, US deputy assistant secretary for Russia and Central Europe.
Darchiev is set to become Moscow’s next ambassador to the US. In a separate statement on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said he had received US agreement for his appointment during the talks on Thursday, and is set to travel to Washington soon.
The ministry stressed the importance of achieving “practical results for improving bilateral relations in the interests of our peoples.” As part of this effort, Russia proposed restoring direct air traffic between the two nations.
In 2022, the US suspended flights and closed its airspace to Russian airlines, acting alongside other Western nations in response to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Travelers have since relied on airlines from neutral countries, routing through locations such as Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.
US President Donald Trump has shifted away from many Biden-era policies, including attempts to “isolate” Russia. His administration is seeking a swift end to the Ukraine conflict.
Trump has labeled Kiev’s aspirations for NATO membership unrealistic. Moscow views the military bloc’s expansion in Europe and its promises to eventually admit Ukraine as key factors fueling the ongoing conflict.
