Russia-US relations: Can air travel bridges be rebuilt?
Representatives from Russia and the USA will meet on Thursday in Istanbul, and the topics of discussion are expected to include the return of Russian diplomatic properties and the resumption of air connections between the countries. This was stated by Russia's ambassador to the USA, Alexander Darchiyev, as quoted by the RIA Novosti agency.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Tuesday that representatives of Russia's diplomatic department are to participate in the negotiations between Russia and the USA in Istanbul, with Darchiyev heading the delegation. The American side will be led by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the USA.
USA-Russia talks: Will they restore air connections?
Alexander Darchiyev emphasized on Wednesday that a key topic of discussion will be the issue of returning "illegally seized diplomatic property." This is crucial for normalizing relations between the countries, Darchiyev noted, as quoted by the Kremlin's RIA Novosti agency. This concerns two compounds, one in Maryland and the other on Long Island, seized by the US authorities in 2016 when then-President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russians from the country, citing interference in the US presidential elections.
The meeting will also address the resumption of direct air connections between Russia and the USA. These were suspended by Washington in February 2022, following the Kremlin's commencement of a full-scale war in Ukraine. The Russian ambassador added that resuming these flights would not only facilitate official contacts but also make life easier for ordinary people on both sides of the ocean.
"This is about addressing the 'toxic legacy' of the previous US administration, which imposed severe restrictions on the activities of Russian diplomatic missions in the United States, including limitations on diplomats' movement within the host country, financial and visa restrictions, and severely diminished interstate relations," emphasized Darchiyev.
In February, the process of gradually rebuilding relations between Moscow and Washington began in Riyadh. Both sides agreed to create conditions for the full resumption of bilateral cooperation and to remove restrictions on the work of embassies. In recent months, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have spoken by phone twice, discussing cooperation between the countries. A breakthrough for a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine was not achieved.
