As representatives from Russia and the United States sat down in Istanbul for their second round of bilateral negotiations, the focus was squarely on normalizing diplomatic relations between the two nations. The conversations, which began on Thursday, are taking place behind closed doors, with the members of both delegations remaining unknown for the time being, according to the Tass agency.
Russian Foreign Minister Serguéi Lavrov had announced on Wednesday that negotiators would address the working relationships between the two countries, as reported by EFE. He noted that high-ranking diplomats and experts from Russia and the United States would meet in Istanbul to examine the accumulated problems that have arisen as a consequence of the “illegal activities of the previous administration” in the US, which have created artificial obstacles to the activities of the Russian embassy.
One of the key points on Moscow’s agenda is the return of six Russian diplomatic properties in the United States. This issue is likely to be a major sticking point in the negotiations, and its resolution will be crucial in determining the success of the talks.
The first round of Russian-American negotiations took place on February 18 in Riyadh, marking the first direct contact between the two parties since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had agreed to the negotiations in a telephone conversation with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, on February 12, viewed the meeting in Riyadh as a positive step. Putin considered it the first attempt to increase confidence between the two powers, which he described as crucial to achieving a peaceful arrangement in Ukraine. He also denied that Kyiv would be excluded from the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to resolving the conflict.
The idyll between Putin and Trump is being tested in these negotiations, as both leaders seek to find common ground and normalize relations between their countries. The outcome of these talks will be closely watched, as it has significant implications for the future of international relations and the conflict in Ukraine. With the stakes high, the negotiators will need to navigate complex issues and find mutually acceptable solutions to move forward.