Türkiye hopes for concrete results from Russia-US talks in Istanbul

The Turkish authorities have expressed hope for the success of the ongoing negotiations between Russia and the United States, which are being held in Istanbul.

According to a statement from Türkiye’s presidential administration to Russian media, Türkiye is optimistic about the potential outcomes of the talks, per Caliber.Az.

"We are only hoping that these negotiations in Türkiye will bring concrete results for both parties and the region," said the statement from the office of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Turkish government emphasized that it is not interfering in the negotiations but is providing the opportunity for the discussions in Istanbul.

The second round of consultations between Russian and American delegations began at the Russian Consulate in Istanbul at 10:00 AM (Turkish time). As previously reported by the US State Department, the talks on April 10 are specifically focused on the operational work of the diplomatic missions of both countries. Discussions on broader political issues, such as the situation in Ukraine, are not part of the agenda.

The Russian delegation is being led by Alexander Darchiev, Russia's Ambassador to Washington, while the US side is headed by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. One of the key topics being raised by Russia during the talks is the possibility of resuming direct air travel between the two countries. Ambassador Darchiev stated that restoring direct flights could help strengthen official contacts between Moscow and Washington and also facilitate greater business exchanges.

The ongoing negotiations are part of a broader diplomatic engagement between Russia and the United States. The two countries previously held their first talks since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on February 27 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During that meeting, both parties agreed to restore staffing levels at their embassies in Moscow and Washington and to resume normal operations of their diplomatic missions.

While Türkiye is not directly involved in the substance of the talks, it continues to play a pivotal role by providing a neutral venue for dialogue between the two powers. With hopes for improving bilateral relations, both sides in Istanbul aim to address operational matters and potentially set the stage for further diplomatic progress.

By Tamilla Hasanova