Russia-US talks in Istanbul conclude after more than 5 hours

• Moscow, Washington exchange notes on agreement on mutual guarantees of unimpeded banking, financial servicing of diplomatic missions, says Russian envoy
  
  ISTANBUL / MOSCOW

The second round of talks between Russia and the US concluded Thursday afternoon in Istanbul after over five hours.

The US delegation was the first to leave the Russian consul general residence without making any statements to the press, according to Anadolu correspondent.

On Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the delegations would meet to address efforts to "further stabilize the operations of their bilateral missions," meaning embassies and consulates.

The Russian delegation was led by Alexander Darchiev, ambassador to the US, with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter leading the US team.

The meeting followed an initial round of discussions held Feb. 27, also in Istanbul, as part of a diplomatic channel established between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during their meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Both delegations continued the “constructive approach” seen in the meeting, according to a US State Department statement.

"The United States reiterated its concerns about the Russian Federation’s policy prohibiting the employment of local staff, which is the key impediment to maintaining stable and sustainable staffing levels at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow," it said.

The two sides discussed holding a follow-up meeting in the near term, with the date, location, and representation to be determined, it added.

Darchiev told journalists following the meeting that talks made it possible to advance consultations on resolving the task of normalizing the work of diplomatic missions in each other's countries.

Confirming that the two sides exchanged notes on an agreement on mutual guarantees of unimpeded banking and financial servicing of diplomatic missions of Russia and the US, the envoy said they agreed "on further measures to facilitate the movement of diplomats in the host country, as well as their visa processing."

The date for consultations is being worked out, said Darchiev, noting Moscow emphasized the priority of returning its diplomatic property confiscated in the US, and both sides are ready to work on a road map on the issue.

"The resumption of direct air service between Moscow and Washington would facilitate the expansion of business ties and contacts between societies and people," he added.