Moscow: The Russian presidency indicated that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might be on the horizon, contingent upon negotiators reaching specific agreements.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov communicated to reporters that Putin is open to a direct meeting with Zelensky in Istanbul. He emphasized that Russia does not shy away from dialogue and aims to address the fundamental causes of the ongoing conflict.
Peskov highlighted the need for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv to proceed discreetly, asserting that efforts to resolve the conflict will persist based on the framework established during the Istanbul discussions. He mentioned that both parties have agreed to exchange lists of ceasefire conditions, with Russia already in the process of preparing its list as part of practical implementation efforts.
The Kremlin spokesman underscored the importance of implementing agreed-upon terms before embarking on any new negotiations. He confirmed that Russia's negotiating team remains unchanged, reflecting a commitment to maintaining the continuity of the negotiation process. Additionally, Peskov noted that a crucial aspect of the negotiations involves identifying the signatories of any potential agreements.
In addressing questions about recent communications, Peskov denied any contact between Russia and the United States following the Istanbul talks but assured that the public would be informed should there be any scheduled conversation between Presidents Putin and Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation to Istanbul, expressed satisfaction with the current progress of the talks and reiterated Moscow's willingness to continue the dialogue.