Diplomatic sources reported Tuesday , that delegations from the United States and Russia will hold a new round of talks in Istanbul on Thursday, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and explore paths to ending the war in Ukraine.

The meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. (GMT+3) at the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul.

According to Russia’s TASS news agency, the Russian delegation will be led by Alexander Darchiev, a senior diplomat expected to soon assume the role of Russia’s next ambassador to Washington.

On the American side, the delegation will be headed by Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe.