The U.S. Department of State stated that the talks between the American and Russian delegations in Istanbul, Turkey, identified "concrete initial steps" aimed at stabilizing the operations of diplomatic missions between the United States and Russia. 

In a press statement, the U.S. Department of State added that the Istanbul talks, which concluded on Thursday evening, were held based on a prior agreement between the U.S. and Russian foreign ministers to initiate bilateral discussions on issues affecting the functioning of diplomatic missions between the two countries.

It clarified that Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central European Affairs Sonata Coulter led the U.S. delegation in the meetings, while Ambassador Alexander Darchiev, Director of the Northern America Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, headed the Russian delegation.

The statement noted that the talks featured "constructive" discussions, during which the U.S. delegation raised concerns about access to banking and contractual services, as well as the need to ensure stable and sustainable staffing levels at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

It further explained that the meetings with the Russian side concluded with an agreement to follow up on communications soon, with the date and location to be determined later.

The Russian and U.S. delegations concluded talks lasting approximately six hours at the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, as part of ongoing efforts to normalize relations between the two countries.

A first round of talks had previously been held on February 18 in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.