Ukraine and Russia may resume talks in Istanbul this week, media reports
A meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations may take place in Istanbul this week. According to preliminary information, the third round of negotiations is planned for Wednesday or Thursday (July 23–24), but the exact date has not yet been confirmed, the media outlet İndependent Türkçe reports.
According to İndependent Türkçe, which refers to diplomatic sources, no details about the location of the meeting, its start time, or the composition of the delegations are being revealed at this time.
"A meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations is expected to take place in Istanbul this week. The negotiations may be held on Wednesday or Thursday. No specific details regarding the venue, timing, or composition of the delegations have been made public," the report states.
Meanwhile, there was no official confirmation from the Ukrainian side at the time of publication.
Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Istanbul
Ukraine and Russia have already held two rounds of negotiations aimed at ending the full-scale war.
The main outcome so far is that the parties managed to agree on the exchange of prisoners and the bodies of fallen soldiers.
At the same time, the Kremlin continues to put forward demands that are unacceptable to Kyiv, such as handing over four Ukrainian regions and Crimea to the control of the aggressor state, halting Western arms supplies, declaring neutrality, and more.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on June 21 that the Russians are using such negotiations as a tactic to delay sanctions.
Meanwhile, an RBC-Ukraine government source said on June 19 that, at that time, there was no topic for discussion for a third meeting with the Russians in Istanbul.
