The atmosphere outside the Russian Consulate in Istanbul, located on Istiklal Street, remains calm ahead of the second round of Russia-US consultations on embassy operations, according to a TASS correspondent.
Security around the building has not been visibly increased so far, though local law enforcement sources told TASS that heightened measures are likely to be introduced.
Leading the Russian delegation is Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev, who previously headed the Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department. The US delegation is headed by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the talks will focus on addressing numerous operational challenges facing diplomats. The US side emphasized that no political or security issues will be discussed during the meeting, and Ukraine is not part of the agenda.
The first round of talks, held on February 27 in Istanbul, lasted over six hours behind closed doors.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Istanbul
Based on materials from TASS