Overview

• U.S. and Russian officials met for six hours in Istanbul to address embassy staffing, diplomatic banking, and operational issues.
• Russia proposed resuming direct flights between the two countries, though no timeline or specifics were provided.
• The U.S. approved Alexander Darchiyev as Russia's new ambassador to Washington, filling a post vacant since October 2024.
• The talks are part of a broader shift in U.S.-Russia relations under President Trump, contrasting with the previous administration's isolationist policies toward Moscow.
• Concerns have been raised by U.S. officials about potential Russian espionage activities if diplomatic staffing increases in the U.S.