The negotiations in Trkiye lasted around two hours
The first talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years aimed at resolving the conflict and finding a lasting peace have ended in Istanbul. Russia's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said that the sides will each present their detailed vision of a possible ceasefire, after which the negotiations will continue.
Medinsky also announced a large-scale prisoner exchange with Ukraine based on the 1,000-for-1,000 formula.
He added that Kiev had requested a meeting between Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky, and Moscow has taken note of the proposal. He concluded that overall, the Russian delegation is satisfied with the outcome of the talks and is ready to continue contacts.
Ukrainian delegation head Rustem Umerov stated that the talks on Kiev side focused on a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. He noted that various versions of a ceasefire were discussed, according to RBK-Ukraine. Umerov added that an update on possible new negotiations will be shared soon.
Talks were expected to begin on Thursday after Putin suggested resuming the Istanbul negotiations, which were broken off three years ago.
The Russian team waited for its Ukrainian counterparts to arrive for an entire day. Vladimir Zelensky only named his delegation on Thursday evening.
Moscow and Ukraine last held direct talks in April 2022, also in Istanbul. Following initial reports that an agreement had been reached, Kiev unilaterally withdrew from the talks. President Putin later blamed Western interference and, in particular, then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had reportedly urged Kiev to "just continue fighting," for derailing the peace process.
Russia, which had withdrawn its forces from the outskirts of Kiev as a goodwill gesture, later accused Ukraine of backtracking, saying it had lost trust in Ukraine's negotiators.
(RT.com)
