Russia is ready to resume Istanbul talks with Ukraine if Kyiv shows political will - Russian diplomat
Charge d'Affaires of Russia in Turkey Andrey Ivanov said. Moscow is ready to resume Istanbul talks with Ukraine, if Kyiv «demonstrates political will» to engage in dialogue.
«We have repeatedly stated that we are ready to return to the negotiation process in Istanbul if the Ukrainian side shows political will,» Russian media quoted Ivanov as saying.
The diplomat stressed that russia is not giving up on a peaceful settlement, but believes that the initiative should come from Ukraine.
Context.
The so-called Istanbul talks between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia took place in March 2022 with the mediation of Turkey. It was then that the parties discussed conditions for the cessation of hostilities and security guarantees for Ukraine, However, the process was disrupted after the discovery of crimes committed by Russian troops in Bucha.
Since then, Russia has repeatedly declared its «readiness for negotiations», putting forward ultimatum requirements, including the recognition of the occupied territories.
Ukraine, in turn, emphasises that negotiations are possible only after the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory.
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