As a result of the negotiations in Istanbul, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations reached a fundamental agreement on holding a follow-up meeting. This was announced by the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who emphasized that these agreements were achieved during the meeting on May 16.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Minister Fidan did not specify the level of delegations that would participate in the upcoming talks. Earlier, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported that the countries are potentially preparing a meeting of leaders. Additionally, according to the Turkish minister, the parties agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange.
“As a result of the meeting, they agreed to exchange a thousand people from each country as a confidence-building measure. They also agreed to share in writing with the other side the conditions that would allow for a ceasefire.”
Fidan stated that the parties plan to exchange a thousand prisoners from each country as a symbol of trust and to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict. They also plan to discuss and agree in writing on the conditions that would contribute to a ceasefire.
First Direct Communication Between Ukraine and Russia in Three Years
The first direct negotiations in three years between representatives of Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul and lasted approximately 90 minutes. Information about their progress emerged earlier from diplomatic sources, citing the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to sources, during the negotiations, Russia proposed as a condition for a ceasefire the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories that were not captured through military means. This information is supported by media reports, including from “Suspilne,” which referenced an unnamed source familiar with the details of the negotiations.
Both sides are actively engaging in dialogue with a desire to find pathways to peace, although issues of security and territorial integrity remain key in the complex negotiations.