U.S. and Russian officials sat down in Istanbul this week ✍️ for round two of talks aimed at reviving strained diplomatic missions between the two nations—marking their latest effort to thaw a relationship frozen by years of tensions.
What’s on the Table?
Led by Russia’s new U.S. ambassador Alexander Darchiev and America’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter, the discussions zero in on embassy functionality. Think visa services, local staffing, and day-to-day operations—not geopolitical drama. 🎯
"Ukraine is not on the agenda," stressed U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. "This is purely about keeping the lights on at our embassies."
Why Now?
Since 2016, both countries have expelled over 150 diplomats, leading to barebones staff and snail-paced consular services. Travelers, students, and families caught in the crossfire? They’ve felt the pinch. 🛂
This Istanbul meet follows a first round in February—but don’t expect a quick fix. As one analyst put it: "Diplomacy isn’t a TikTok trend. It’s a slow burn." 🔥
