US Halts Russia Embassy Talks Amid Ongoing Tensions

Russia has announced that the United States canceled the next round of bilateral consultations aimed at resolving diplomatic issues and restoring the work of embassies in both countries, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. The talks, previously held in Istanbul and Riyadh, focused on normalizing diplomatic missions, resuming direct flights, and addressing broader tensions, including the war in Ukraine. The U.S. reportedly tied some progress in the talks to developments in Ukraine, while Russian officials also sought to discuss the return of seized diplomatic properties and broader security issues. The U.S. has not publicly commented on the cancellation, and Russia has expressed hope the pause will be brief. The move raises questions about the immediate future of U.S.-Russia diplomatic engagement. The stalled dialogue underscores the continuing challenges in their relationship amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts.