No statement released after US‑Russia talks in Istanbul
Negotiations between Russia and the USA in Istanbul have concluded, according to Russian media. According to RIA Novosti, diplomats stated they would not publish official statements summarising the meeting.
Russian-American talks took place on Thursday in Turkey. The meeting was held at the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul.
The Kremlin had earlier informed that representatives of the Russian diplomatic department, led by Russia's ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev, were expected to participate. The American delegation was to be led by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the USA.
US-Russia talks. Media: Lasted almost six hours
According to the Russian state agency RIA Novosti, the US-Russia talks have concluded. They reportedly lasted nearly six hours.
The agency, citing its source, also reported that the delegations do not plan to release statements after the meeting.
Alexander Darchiev had earlier informed that the talks might cover issues such as the resumption of air connections between the USA and Russia and the return of Russian diplomatic property, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov spoke about the normalisation of diplomatic relations. RIA Novosti reported after the meeting that the war in Ukraine was not a subject of discussion.
The previous talks between the US and Russian delegations took place in March in Saudi Arabia. The leaders of both countries, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, have spoken twice over the phone in recent months.
