Russian Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev introduced on Wednesday that some progress has been made in resolving bilateral diplomatic points between Moscow and Washington.
Speaking to Russian journalists in Istanbul forward of the second spherical of Russia-US consultations, the ambassador mentioned each side had reached mutual agreements relating to banking companies for diplomatic missions.
According to him, these embrace ensures for monetary transactions between the 2 capitals, in addition to the sleek switch of Russian contributions to the budgets of the UN and different worldwide organizations.
Darchiev credited the presidents of each nations for this achievement, saying they “opened a window of opportunities.”
He mentioned contacts between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump contributed to optimistic developments, notably within the issuance of visas for diplomatic personnel and the easing of sure journey restrictions.
“Although progress on visa issuance and travel remains limited, it is essential to find a path toward significantly improving the situation,” Darchiev added.
He talked about the lifting of current restrictions, particularly the 25-mile rule that limits the motion of Russian diplomatic workers within the US. In distinction, he mentioned, American diplomats in Russia get pleasure from a 41-kilometer zone.
The ambassador mentioned Russia will increase the problem of resuming direct flights between the 2 nations throughout the upcoming talks on Thursday, including that the suspension of air visitors was a US choice.
“Restoring direct flights would not only facilitate official contacts, currently, diplomatic personnel must travel via connecting routes, but would also encourage business ties and ease the lives of ordinary citizens on both sides of the ocean,” he mentioned.
Darchiev mentioned Moscow can also be making ready to interact in severe discussions regarding the return of Russian diplomatic properties seized by the US.
“We are set to have a firm conversation on the return of illegally confiscated Russian diplomatic property. This issue is central to restoring normalcy in the entire spectrum of bilateral relations,” he mentioned.
In 2016, two leisure compounds utilized by Russian diplomats and their households have been additionally closed and seized by the Obama administration.
In 2017, the Russian Consulate General in San Francisco was closed by the US, and the constructing was seized and searched by US authorities in violation of diplomatic norms. In 2018, the US did the identical to the Russian Seattle Consulate.
In retaliation, Russia seized two properties utilized by US diplomats for leisure functions in 2016 and closed US Consulate in St. Petersburg in 2018.
Source: www.anews.com.tr