The Turkish Foreign Minister said that “consensus and mutual understanding” had been reached between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations on certain issues during the talks in Istanbul on Tuesday. “The most substantial progress in the negotiations has been made today,” Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu said of the Turkish-mediated talks. He welcomed the progress made, in particular, on “the highest priority of achieving a ceasefire as soon as possible to pave the way for a lasting political solution”. Tsavousoglu said the “more difficult” issues would now be discussed at higher levels, with a meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine to “make final adjustments to the common approach”. After that, the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on the agenda, he said. On the talks: The Russian delegation at the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul announced two steps to de-escalate the conflict with Ukraine after the first day of talks, Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti reported. RIA Novosti quoted the Russian delegation as saying that the steps included “a drastic reduction in military activity in the direction of Kiev and Chernihiv”, as well as the possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr. peace. Treaty of the Foreign Ministers of both countries. Meanwhile, an adviser to Ukrainian President Mykhailo Podolyak said enough progress had been made during talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on Tuesday to allow Putin and Zelensky to meet. Speaking in Istanbul after talks between the two sides ended on Tuesday, Pontoliak said there was now a “chance” the two presidents would meet.
