The US and Russia have agreed on banking services for their diplomatic missions
Kyiv • UNN
US and Russian delegations in Istanbul have agreed on the stability of banking services for diplomatic missions. The US is concerned about the ban on hiring local staff by the US Embassy in Moscow.

During a meeting in Istanbul, the delegations of the United States and Russia agreed to ensure the stability of diplomatic banking services for Russian and American bilateral missions.
This is reported by UNN with reference to the US State Department.
Details
The US delegation, led by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russian and Central European Affairs, met with the Russian delegation, led by Ambassador Alexander Darchiev, on April 10 in Istanbul, in the Türkiye region. This meeting was the second round of consultations since the agreement was reached between Secretary of State Rubio and his Russian counterpart. The first took place on February 27
It is reported that the American and Russian delegations exchanged notes in order to finally agree on arrangements to ensure the stability of diplomatic banking services for Russian and American bilateral missions.

The United States also reiterated its concern about the policy of the Russian Federation, which prohibits the hiring of local staff.
This is a key obstacle to maintaining a stable and sustainable level of staffing at the US Embassy in Moscow
In addition, Coulter and Darchiev discussed the possibility of holding the next meeting on these issues in the near future, if necessary, with the determination of the date, venue and representation.
Addition
The State Department, on the eve of the meeting with the Russian delegation in Istanbul, reported that the meeting will be devoted solely to issues of relations between the two states. Russia's war against Ukraine will not be discussed.
An exchange of prisoners between the US and Russia, organized by the CIA and Russian intelligence, took place in Abu Dhabi. The Russian side handed over Russian-US citizen Ksenia Karelina, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for donating less than $100 to a Ukrainian charity. The Russians handed over Russian-German citizen Artur Petrov. The exchange was organized by the CIA and Russian intelligence. The Petrov case involved the illegal export of sensitive microelectronic components.