The third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine has begun in Istanbul, at the Ciragan Palace. The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, and the Ukrainian delegation by Rustem Umerov.
The negotiations are also being attended by a Turkish delegation led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who also made an introductory speech.
Medinsky stated before the meeting, upon his arrival in Istanbul, that he had heard that the Ukrainian delegation intended to insist on an agreement on a meeting of the leaders during the third round of talks.
The delegation includes Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Minister of Defense Alexander Fomin.
The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years were held on May 16 in Istanbul. After the meeting, the parties reached an agreement on a prisoner exchange based on the “1,000 for 1,000” formula, the preparation of proposals for a possible ceasefire, and the continuation of dialogue.
A second round of negotiations was held in the same city on June 2, during which the parties exchanged memoranda with proposals for resolving the conflict and agreed on a new exchange of prisoners of war, Sputnik reminds.
