Putin Praises Trump’s ‘Pragmatic’ Approach. Russian, US Diplomats Met in Istanbul/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ US and Russian diplomats met in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss restoring embassy operations, following a Trump-Putin agreement and earlier talks in Saudi Arabia. Putin praised Trump’s approach, calling it more pragmatic than past US administrations. The six-hour negotiations focused on lifting diplomatic restrictions and resolving staffing issues caused by mutual expulsions. No Ukrainian officials attended, as discussions centered on US-Russia ties rather than the ongoing war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested the outcome would determine how quickly relations could normalize, though no major breakthroughs were immediately announced.
Russia-US Diplomatic Talks Quick Looks
- US and Russian diplomats meet in Istanbul to discuss embassy operations and diplomatic ties.
- Talks stem from a Trump-Putin agreement and earlier negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
- Putin praises Trump’s approach, calling it more pragmatic than past administrations.
- Diplomatic staffing and mutual expulsions were key topics in the six-hour discussion.
- No Ukrainian representatives were present, as talks focused on US-Russia relations.
- Outcome remains unclear, with Russia looking to remove past diplomatic restrictions.
Deep Look: US and Russian Diplomats Meet in Istanbul to Discuss Restoring Embassy Operations
High-level US and Russian diplomats met in Istanbul on Thursday for the second round of discussions aimed at restoring diplomatic operations between the two countries. The meeting follows years of deteriorating relations, mass diplomatic expulsions, and embassy staffing restrictions, marking a potential turning point in US-Russia engagement.
Talks Stem from Trump-Putin Agreement
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the talks were initiated after discussions between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Senior officials from both countries previously laid the groundwork for these negotiations during a meeting in Saudi Arabia, where they explored pathways to improving bilateral relations.
During a meeting of Russia’s Federal Security Service, Putin expressed optimism about the new US administration, contrasting it with past leadership.
“The first contacts with the new US administration encourage certain hopes,” Putin said. “There is a mutual readiness to work to restore relations and gradually solve a colossal amount of systemic strategic problems.”
Putin went further, arguing that previous US administrations had been driven by ideological biases, while Trump’s team displayed “pragmatism and a realistic view.”
However, Putin warned that some Western elites could attempt to undermine the dialogue. “Certain groups are still determined to maintain global instability,” he said, urging Russian diplomats to guard against any disruptions to the ongoing negotiations.
Embassy Staffing and Diplomatic Restrictions in Focus
The primary agenda for the Istanbul meeting was the reopening of embassies and the lifting of diplomatic restrictions. In recent years, Moscow and Washington have imposed mass expulsions, leading to a significant reduction in diplomatic personnel. The situation has left both nations with limited diplomatic presence, hampering routine operations.
“I’m sure that agreements will be reached, and we will return to civilized communication,” said Valentina Matvienko, speaker of Russia’s upper house of parliament, during a visit to Turkey.
A US Embassy official in Ankara confirmed that the discussions in Istanbul were centered on diplomatic operations, though no formal statements were issued after the meeting. Russian news agencies reported that negotiations lasted over six hours.
The Ukraine Question: No Officials Present
While the broader Russia-Ukraine war remains central to US-Russia tensions, these talks did not include Ukrainian representatives. The Kremlin maintains that normalizing US-Russia relations could help pave the way for eventual peace negotiations, though Washington remains cautious.
The US has not publicly linked these discussions to any direct negotiations over Ukraine, and it remains unclear whether Ukraine-related sanctions or military aid to Kyiv were addressed behind closed doors.
Lavrov: Aiming to Remove ‘Unlawful’ US Restrictions
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking from Qatar, accused past US administrations of imposing “artificial obstacles” to the operation of Russian embassies.
“We, naturally, reciprocated and also created uncomfortable conditions for the American embassy in Moscow,” Lavrov admitted.
Lavrov suggested that based on the outcome of the Istanbul talks, it would become clearer how quickly and effectively the two countries could move toward normal diplomatic relations.
Uncertain Next Steps
Despite the long negotiations, neither Washington nor Moscow issued official statements on whether progress had been made. However, both sides acknowledge the importance of diplomatic dialogue, and further meetings may be scheduled in the coming months.
With Trump’s administration taking a more engagement-focused approach, the possibility of improved US-Russia relations remains on the table, though geopolitical tensions, particularly over Ukraine, could still complicate progress.
