Kyiv work with Turkish and Israeli officials as mediators to finalize a location and framework for peace negotiations with Russia, Ukrainian presidential adviser and negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said on Sunday.
“When it works out, there will be a meeting. I think so won’t take long for us to get there,” he said. on national television.
Podoliak also said on Sunday that he thought progress could be made to the talks with Russia in the next few days as the Russian side become more constructive. “We are not going to concede in principle on all positions. Russia has now understood this. Russia is already start talking constructively. I think we’ll reach some results literally in material of days,” he said. in a video posted online.
RIA news The agency quoted a Russian delegate, Leonid Slutsky, as saying the talks had made substantial progress.
“According to my personal expectations, this progress can grow in the next few days in a common position of the two delegations, in documents for signing,” Slutsky said.
No more side indicated what was the scope of any deal could be.
Their public comments were published almost at the same time. They came on day 18 of the war, which began when Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin terms a “special military transaction.”
Maintaining its neutral and balanced position, Turkey continues its diplomatic efforts to defuse the Ukrainian conflict, urging all parties to exercise restraint. While Ankara opposed international punishments designed to isolate Moscow, he also firm son strait to prevent some Russian ships from crossing the Turkish Strait.
Thanks to Turkey’s intense diplomatic efforts, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met for the first time since Russia started son invasion of Ukraine on March 10 in Turkey’s seaside resort of Antalia, on margins of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum.
Thousands of people were killed and more more than 2.5 millions people fled the fighting. Ukraine said it was willing to negotiate but would not give up or accept any ultimatum.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on On Friday, there had been “positive changes” in the talks but did not give details. On Saturday, the Kremlin said talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials were continuing”in video format.”
