Daily SumUp

Delegates from the US and Russia will meet in Istanbul on Thursday as part of continued efforts to normalise embassy operations between the two countries, the US State Department has said.

The talks, which will take place at the Russian consulate in Turkey's capital, will not include any discussion of political or security issues, the US said.

"Ukraine is not, absolutely not, on the agenda," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

The Russian delegation will be led by the newly appointed ambassador to the US, Alexander Darchiev, and the US team by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.