US-Russia Embassy Talks Scheduled for April 10 Focus on Operations
A new round of U.S.-Russia talks is scheduled for April 10 in Istanbul, focusing on embassy operations. U.S. spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized that Ukraine will not be discussed. This follows President Trump’s calls for a ceasefire amidst ongoing hostilities from Russia in Ukraine, as Kyiv proposes a complete ceasefire contingent on Russian agreement.
On April 10, 2023, the United States and Russia will engage in another round of talks in Istanbul, as announced by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on April 8. The discussions will include representatives from both nations’ foreign ministries; however, specific topics of discussion remain undisclosed.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce clarified that the agenda will not include Ukraine, stating, “These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalizing a bilateral relationship overall, which can only happen, as we’ve noted, once there is peace between Russia and Ukraine.” This remark indicates a focused approach amid ongoing tensions.
The upcoming talks follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed call for a ceasefire, although Russia continues its military operations against Ukraine, launching drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities.
In previous discussions, U.S. and Russian officials addressed embassy operations in Istanbul on February 27, alongside two rounds of peace talks regarding Ukraine held in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier in April, negotiator Kirill Dmitriev represented Russian President Vladimir Putin in Washington to discuss these matters. He recently met U.S. President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, at the White House. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on April 3 that U.S. and Russian officials are engaged in private discussions about achieving a complete ceasefire in Ukraine.
Despite Kyiv’s willingness to commence a 30-day ceasefire in accordance with a proposal from Washington, contingent on Russia’s agreement to similar terms, Moscow has only consented to partial ceasefires concerning energy infrastructures and in the Black Sea, demanding access to international markets in return.
The upcoming U.S.-Russia embassy talks in Istanbul signify ongoing diplomatic efforts amidst persistent tensions due to the Ukraine conflict. While U.S. officials assert that Ukraine is not part of the agenda, the discussions may pave the way for improved embassy operations, albeit without a broader normalization of relations until peace is achieved in Ukraine. Both nations continue to face challenges in reaching substantial agreements regarding ceasefires and military operations.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
