The United States and Russia held diplomatic talks on Thursday in Istanbul to work on finalizing an understanding aimed at ensuring the stability of diplomatic banking services for both nations’ bilateral missions. The meeting marked a continuation of efforts to restore diplomatic functions and improve logistical cooperation.

The US delegation was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe, Sonata Coulter. The Russian side's representation has not been publicly disclosed, and both parties agreed not to include the war in Ukraine on the agenda for these discussions.

According to the US Department of State, the purpose of the meeting was to find common ground in supporting operational capabilities for embassies and consulates through stable financial channels. The talks build on previous engagements, the last of which took place on February 27 and was led by US State Secretary Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

While the conversation remained strictly within the scope of diplomatic infrastructure and did not venture into wider geopolitical disputes, the willingness of both sides to engage diplomatically was noted as a positive step in maintaining open communication lines.

Following the session, both delegations agreed to hold a follow-up meeting “as needed.” However, no specific date, location, or level of participation has been decided at this stage. The flexible language signals a continued, though cautious, approach to diplomatic engagement amid ongoing international tensions.

Observers will be watching closely to see whether this process leads to any broader thaw in US-Russia relations or remains strictly limited to logistical matters. For now, the two countries appear focused on resolving practical issues tied to maintaining their diplomatic footprints.