Diplomatic Stalemate: U.S. Reluctant to Fully Reopen Embassies, Kremlin Advisor Claims

The United States does not seem to be prepared to fully restore diplomatic relations with Russia, according to Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, who spoke on Wednesday about the stalled negotiations regarding embassy-related issues.

«I would suggest that, despite some advancements, the American side is still not ready to overcome the challenges that have emerged concerning the operations of [our] diplomatic missions,» Ushakov stated to the media.

Earlier this year, Russian and U.S. diplomats conducted two rounds of discussions in Istanbul, but a third round has been delayed, reportedly due to Russia’s request to hold the meeting in Moscow.

Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s newly appointed ambassador to the U.S., mentioned earlier this month that an agreement had been reached to alternate future negotiations between Moscow and Washington. Ushakov confirmed on Wednesday that Darchiev had returned to Moscow for consultations and is now returning to the United States.

«I hope the talks will proceed,» Ushakov expressed. «We will find out.»

On Sunday, Ushakov indicated that he anticipated Washington to suggest a different location for the next round of discussions. Although the U.S. has not publicly confirmed any specifics, Russian officials assert that another meeting is expected «soon.»

Russia is advocating for the return of six diplomatic properties in the U.S., which were confiscated between 2016 and 2018 due to claims of interference in elections. Additionally, it is seeking «clearer answers» regarding its proposal to reinstate direct flights between Russia and the U.S.

The Kremlin claims that U.S. authorities have made the resumption of direct flights dependent on progress related to a ceasefire in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has thus far turned down U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempts to negotiate a truce.

The topic of restoring air connections was first brought up during the Istanbul talks on February 27, which took place as the incoming Trump administration showed a willingness to ease tensions with Moscow. A second round of discussions followed on April 10.

Earlier in February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in the first direct discussions between the top diplomats of the two nations since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.