In a diplomatic breakthrough, US and Russian officials will convene in Istanbul on Thursday to address escalating tensions over embassy operations, as confirmed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This critical meeting follows last week’s unprecedented Saudi Arabia talks, which signaled a dramatic shift in American foreign policy under former President Donald Trump.
The discussions aim to resolve systemic challenges caused by mutual expulsions of diplomats since 2014, which crippled embassy staffing. Lavrov emphasized the need to reverse “unlawful activities of the previous US administration” that disrupted diplomatic workflows.
“We reciprocated by creating uncomfortable conditions for the American embassy,”he stated during a press briefing in Qatar.
Key agenda items include:
- Restoring embassy staffing to pre-Cold War levels
- Easing visa and travel restrictions for diplomats
- Establishing protocols to prevent future operational conflicts
The Saudi Arabia dialogue marked the first major thaw in US-Russia relations since Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While Ukrainian representatives were excluded from those talks, the Kremlin framed the negotiations as a necessary step toward eventual peace discussions.
Analysts warn that unresolved embassy disputes could derail fragile progress. Both nations currently operate with less than 30% of their standard diplomatic personnel, severely limiting consular services and crisis management capabilities.
Lavrov concluded that Thursday’s outcomes will determine whether the countries can “move forward effectively” in rebuilding trust. The meeting occurs against a backdrop of global scrutiny, as NATO allies monitor potential shifts in Washington’s stance toward Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.