Russia Proposes Restoration of Direct Air Links with US

The Russian Foreign Ministry has revealed that Moscow suggested reinstating direct air travel between Russia and the United States as a part of the high-level discussions held in Istanbul on Thursday.

The ministry issued a statement on Friday but did not disclose how the US delegation responded to the proposal. According to the ministry, the consultations between Russian and American officials focused on resolving lingering issues between the two nations.

"Ways to overcome multiple ‘irritants’ inherited from previous US administrations were discussed in detail,” the statement read. “Joint steps to ensure uninterrupted financing for the operation of the Russian and US diplomatic missions on a mutual basis and efforts toward creating the necessary conditions that would enable the diplomats to perform their duties have been coordinated."

One of the critical topics raised was the status of Russian diplomatic properties in the US. Moscow has been pressing for the return of six facilities that were confiscated between 2016 and 2018. 

"The need for practical results meant to foster conditions to restore bilateral relations in the interest of the people of our countries was particularly emphasized," the statement added.

Among the key proposals put forth by the Russian delegation was the idea of restoring direct flights between the two nations. 

"Specifically, it was proposed to the US side to consider the possibility of restoring direct air service," the ministry noted. 

The reestablishment of direct flights could signal a step toward easing tensions and facilitating travel for citizens of both countries.

Following the start of the military operation in Ukraine, the US and the European Union closed its airspace to Russian aircraft. In response, Russia imposed reciprocal restrictions on 36 countries, banning flights without special permission from Rosaviatsia or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This meeting in Istanbul was the second official engagement between Russian and US delegations since the change in the White House administration. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the consultations were "substantive and professional”.

The US State Department, commenting on the discussions, acknowledged that both sides had reached an understanding on certain issues and outlined future steps to enhance diplomatic operations. The US delegation was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Russian Federation and Central Europe Sonata Coulter, while Russia was represented by Alexander Darchiev, Director of the North Atlantic Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Before the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted the importance of these negotiations in resolving longstanding disagreements.