The U.S. has cancelled the next round of diplomatic talks with Russia, Russian officials said Friday, casting doubt on efforts to ease tensions between the two countries.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the decision came from the American side but offered no reason. “We hope that the pause they have taken will not last too long,” she said in a statement.
The US has canceled a meeting with Russia on eliminating "irritants" in bilateral relations, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 16, 2025
"As of today, the next meeting within the framework of bilateral consultations on eliminating 'irritants' to normalize the… pic.twitter.com/35ifY159NH
Reuters reports the meetings, launched after President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, had been set to move from Istanbul to Moscow. The talks were aimed at resolving operational disputes between embassies and consulates.
The Kremlin, while denying the dialogue has stalled, acknowledged that “a lot of blockages” remain in the relationship. Trump has expressed frustration over Russia’s actions in Ukraine despite holding five calls with President Vladimir Putin this year.
Both countries have said improved ties could unlock major economic potential.
