Russia, US diplomats to meet in Istanbul on Thursday

Russian and US diplomats will meet in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss resolving issues related to their embassies, Russia's foreign minister said, amid easing relations between the two countries. President Donald Trump has upended US foreign policy since coming to office last month, reaching out to Russian leader Putin and initiating high-level talks with Moscow for the first time in over three years.

The latest meeting will focus on resolving diplomatic issues after each country expelled the other's embassy staff during former US president Joe Biden's administration. A Turkish foreign ministry source confirmed that "A technical-level meeting will be held between Russian and American delegations in Istanbul tomorrow." Lavrov met in Doha with Qatar's emir and Prime Minister, the emir's office said in a statement.