What is significant about the recent US-Russia talks and what was accomplished?

The recent talks mark the first senior-level meeting between the United States and Russia in four years, and the first engagement between Putin's team and Trump's new national security team. The primary accomplishment was building the foundation for a bilateral relationship, including addressing embassy issues in their respective capitals. Both sides are appointing senior negotiators to facilitate future discussions, creating a path toward a potential meeting between President Putin and President Trump. This represents just the first step in negotiations, with more challenging discussions anticipated as specific demands from both sides emerge in subsequent talks.