Russian and American diplomats today meet in Turkey for talks to resolve disputes about the work of their embassies in Washington and Moscow respectively, in a first test of their ability to redefine their broader relationships and work for their broader relationships.

This meeting in camera, held by Russian and US officials at the US Consular Residence in Constantinople, is the second meeting between representatives of the two countries, after a first on February 18 in Saudi Arabia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry posted a short video with the arrival of the Russian delegation on talks in a black van. Russian state television reported that talks are expected to take 5-6 hours.

US Department of Foreign Affairs announced that today’s talks will not include No discussion of Ukraine Not even on political issues or security issues, but he noted that they are still considered a test for Moscow’s intentions.

“To be clear, there are no political issues or security issues on the agenda. Ukraine is not on the agenda, “a US foreign ministry spokesman said.

“How constructive these conversations are will look very quickly, whether issues will be resolved or not. We will soon find out if Russia actually intends to take good to believe it, “ added.

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the same time that talks would focus on creation better conditions For the Russians diplomats in the US and their Their American counterparts in Russiaafter a series of conflicts on staffing levels and the properties of the embassies.

The result ‘It will show how fast and effectively we can move’the Russian Foreign Minister added, recognizing that Russia had ‘Create awkward conditions’ For US diplomats in Moscow, in retaliation, he said, for the treatment of their Russian bonds from Washington.

The first Russian -American conversations since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022 took place a few days after a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump on February 12th.

Then Russians and Americans said they want Restart their bilateral relationshipcausing fears in Kyiv and to Europeans His allies for the possibility of being settled in the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

After their conversations, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his American counterpart Mark Rubio They said they wish to restore the normal functioning of the embassies and consulates, after many deportations of members of their respective diplomatic missions for years.

In addition to this issue, Moscow and Washington said they were working for the restoration of cooperation them in economyto energy -especially in Arctic-, and in space.

Sakharova: Russia expects Thursday talks will be the first of a series of meetings

Russia expects Thursday talks between Russian and American diplomats in Istanbul will be the first of a series of meetings to bring the two countries closer to solving problems in their relations, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zaharo.

Zaharova, informing reporters, said that the purpose of talks in Turkey is to solve relations problems.

“We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such consultations of experts that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have arisen with the American side, enhancing confidence building measures,” he said.