Rapprochement between the U.S. and Russia – following a diplomat-level meeting in Istanbul last week – gathered pace Thursday with the appointment of

They would be the main options for Russians to fly to the US, or vice-versa.Two of Aeroflot's highest-capacity international routes are to Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand — both popular tourist destinations.

Russian and U.S. diplomats have held talks in Istanbul to discuss ways to normalize the operation of their embassies after diplomatic expulsions.

Russian negotiators have asked their American counterparts to consider reopening US airspace to Russian aircraft and restoring direct flights between the two countries, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Wednesday that a meeting between Russian and US representatives to discuss embassy operations will take place on Thursday in Istanbul.

Amid the recent talks between US President Trump and Putin on ending war on Ukraine, now Russia has proposed to resume direct flights, "restoring direct air traffic" between the two countries, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday.

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 said Wednesday.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday said that Moscow and Washington have agreed on steps to remove obstacles to financing their embassies. Commenting on the outcome of Thursday’s talks in Istanbul, a ministry statement said that "discussions were conducted in a meaningful and businesslike manner."

Putin hailed the Trump administration's "pragmatism and realistic view” compared with what he described as the “stereotypes and messianic ideological cliches” of its predecessors.

A Russian delegation arrived at the U.S. consul general's residence in Istanbul on Thursday for talks with American officials to address

ISTANBUL - Russian and U.S. diplomats met in Turkey on Thursday for talks to resolve disputes over their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow, a first test of their ability to reset wider relations and work towards ending the war in Ukraine.

A Russian delegation arrived on Thursday at the U.S. consul general's residence in Istanbul for Russia-U.S. talks aimed at resolving disputes over the work of their respective