Russian advisor to the president and head of Russian delegation Vladimir Medinski, 4th from left, participates in Russian-Ukrainian talks at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul, Turkey.© Sputnik / Ramil Sitdikov
The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in over 3 years ended in Istanbul.Both delegations issued brief statements after nearly two-hour negotiations on Friday aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
The head of the Ukrainian delegation, defence minister Rustem Umerov, stated that Friday talks at the Dolmabahce Palace focused on the exchange of prisoners and versions of possible ceasefire.The question of the possible gathering of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenski with Russian president Vladimir Putin was reported to have besides been raised, and Umerov added that an update on possible fresh negotiations would shortly be made available.He besides stated that both delegations agreed to an exchange involving 1,000 prisoners on each side.The chief negotiator of Russia, Vladimir Medinski, besides confirmed that the exchange is being prepared.Medinsky added that Kiev had asked to meet Putin with Zelenski and that Moscow had accepted the proposal for information.
He stated that, in general, the Russian delegation is pleased with the result of the talks and is ready to proceed contacts.According to Medinsky, Russia and Ukraine will present their detailed imagination of a possible ceasefire, after which negotiations will continue.There is no established timetable for the exchange of proposals for ceasefire by Russia and Ukraine, but a basic agreement has been reached on this issue, informed the origin of the TASS.The talks were scheduled to start on Thursday, after Putin suggested resuming negotiations that were broken up in Istanbul 3 years ago.The Russian squad was waiting for the Ukrainian delegation to arrive all day, although Zelenski did not appoint his delegation until Thursday evening.Moscow and Ukraine last held direct talks in April 2022.
After first reports of reaching an agreement, Kiev unilaterally withdrew from the talks.
Putin later blamed the West for interference, and in peculiar then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who reportedly urged Kiev to "just continued the fight"For derailing the peace process.Russia, which withdrew its forces from Kiev suburb as a motion of goodwill, later accused Ukraine of withdrawing, claiming to have lost assurance in negotiators from Kiev.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/russia/617710-talks-conclude-turkey-ukraine/
