The US and Russia started talks in Istanbul to restore diplomatic staff in each other’s countries, Russian state news service Tass reported, a step by President Donald Trump to ease years of strained ties.

But exactly how he’d do so is a bit of a mystery. “I would advocate for bold recruitment and retention reforms, cutting bureaucratic red tape and improving quality of life initiatives to attract and retain top talent,

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday,

Russian and U.S. teams held six hours of talks in Turkey on Thursday to try to restore normal functioning of their embassies, and Vladimir Putin said initial contacts with Donald Trump's new administration had inspired hope.

Diplomats from Russia and the United States will meet in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss the operation of their respective embassies in Moscow and Washington, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that delegations from Russia and the US will meet in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss restoring the functioning of their embassies.

U.S. and Russian officials met for six hours in Istanbul on Thursday to address diplomatic issues, marking an early test of efforts to mend strained relations. The discussions, held at the U.S. consul generals residence,

Lavrov said the talks would focus on creating better conditions for Russian diplomats in the United States and their U.S. counterparts in Russia, after a series of rows over staffing levels and embassy properties.

In this photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan pose for a photo during their meeting in

Russia said on Friday it had suggested restoring direct air links with the United States at what it described as "substantive and businesslike" talks in Turkey.

Russian and U.S. teams held six hours of talks in Turkey on Thursday to try to restore the normal functioning of their embassies, and President Vladimir Putin said initial contacts with Donald Trump's new administration had inspired hope.