Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov disclosed on Wednesday that White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has been in contact with Moscow to discuss the status of the Russian and US embassies.
The two countries are currently engaged in talks regarding this matter, indicating a potential step towards diplomatic dialogue.
Diplomatic Talks Initiated as Russia and US Discuss Embassy Status
Over the past years, the Russian and US embassies have experienced significant downsizing as bilateral relations have deteriorated.
Tensions escalated notably after Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and further intensified with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, which it referred to as a “special military operation.”
The current number of US diplomatic staff in Russia is approximately one-tenth of the 2017 level of 1,200, with around half comprising Marines and other security personnel.
In March, relations between the two nations reached new lows with the arrest of American journalist Evan Gershkovich by Moscow authorities on espionage suspicions.
Gershkovich, who is accredited with the Wall Street Journal in Russia, has had the espionage charges dismissed by his employer and the US administration.
Efforts to resume arms control measures between the former Cold War rivals have also stalled. In February, President Vladimir Putin suspended Moscow’s participation in the New Start nuclear weapons treaty, the last remaining arms pact between the US and Russia.
Talks on resuming inspections under the treaty were previously canceled, as Russia insisted on addressing broader strategic issues in the discussions.
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Prisoner Exchange and Assurance of Non-Involvement in Mercenary Mutiny
Lavrov touched upon these challenges in a televised interview published by Russia’s foreign ministry, emphasizing the importance of existing treaties in preventing a nuclear war. However, he acknowledged the complex nature of the current situation.
Despite the strained relations, there have been indications of ongoing communication between the two countries.
Last December, Russia and the United States agreed to a prisoner exchange, involving American baseball star Brittney Griner and arms dealer Viktor Bout, following contacts between their intelligence services.
Furthermore, Lavrov stated that US Ambassador Lynne Tracy had conveyed “signals” assuring Russian representatives that the United States was not involved in the recent mutiny by Wagner mercenaries.
Tracy also reportedly regarded the mutiny as an internal matter for Russia, according to Lavrov’s comments.
While these recent developments hint at the preservation of contact between the United States and Russia, it remains to be seen how they will affect broader bilateral relations and the prospects for future diplomatic engagement.
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