Russia has requested that the US consider reopening American airspace and restoring direct flights between the two countries through negotiators on Friday. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this request was made during bilateral meetings in Istanbul on Thursday.
The ministry also said the talks focused “on ways to overcome numerous ‘irritants’ inherited from previous American administrations.”
The ministry also said, “The need for practical results aimed at creating conditions for improving bilateral relations in the interests of the peoples of our countries was particularly emphasized. In concrete terms, the American side was asked to consider restoring direct air traffic.”
The US has not had direct flights to Russia since 2022
The US, alongside other Ukrainian allies like Canada and the European Union, has banned Russian aircraft from entering their airspace since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
At the time, Russia responded by shutting down its airspace to dozens of Western countries. A statement released by the US after the meeting in Istanbul said that the United States and Russia had “constructive discussions” but did not discuss the possibility of resuming direct flights to the country.
After the talks in Istanbul, Russia’s Vladimir Putin praised US President Trump, saying his administration has “pragmatism and realistic view,” which contrasts what he called “the stereotypes and messianic ideological cliches” of previous American administrations. These negotiations followed discussions earlier this month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in which both nations worked toward a potential peace deal in Ukraine, improving diplomatic and economic relations and even restoring full embassy staffing.
The US state department said American officials “raised concerns regarding access to banking and contracted services as well as the need to ensure stable and sustainable staffing levels at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow” while in Istanbul. Despite this, major news outlets agree these are the first steps to renew bilateral operations between the two countries.
President Trump says Putin will keep his word
In a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier this week, President Trump said, “I think he’ll (Putin) keep his word. I’ve spoken to him, I’ve known him for a long time now, you know? adding, “I don’t believe he is going to violate his word. I don’t think he’ll be back when we make a deal.”
Starmer and other European leaders do not share this opinion. For instance, Starmer said, “We have to get it right,” when discussing Ukraine.
Trump says Starmer is a 'tough negotiator' and a 'very special person' during conference at White House.
Here are some of the highlights…https://t.co/uxouS6CBwq pic.twitter.com/JMrZAUBAMP
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 27, 2025
He added, “There’s a famous slogan in the United Kingdom from after the Second World War that is that we have to win the peace. And that’s what we must do now, because it can’t be peace that rewards the aggressor, or that gives encouragement to regimes like Iran.”
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