The Russia-Ukraine negotiation in Istanbul ends: Ukraine wants 8 guarantor countries, to include Turkey

After the completion of the negotiations held in Istanbul, the parties made statements. The Ukrainian delegation stressed that the country’s security is their most important demand. The Ukrainian side, which said that the option of a referendum for the disputed territories was coming forward, also added it was imperative that the vote be held peacefully, without pressure.

On the other hand, Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia who participated in talks with the Russian delegation in Istanbul, said they wanted to see 8 countries, including Turkey, as guarantor countries. The Ukrainian negotiator noted that they would not enter NATO, but they would join the European Union (EU). The same official said that if the security guarantee system worked, Ukraine would accept the status of being a neutral country, and this would include the absence of foreign military bases in the country. Ukrainian negotiator Mikhailo Podolyak argued that the results of the meeting held today were sufficient for a negotiation at the level of leaders.

Russian delegation: The talks were constructive; military actions will be reduced in the Kiev region

On the other hand, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin who participated in the Istanbul talks, announced that they had decided to stop military operations in the Kiev and Chernigiv directions. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Fomin, who participated in the Istanbul talks, announced that they had decided to reduce their military actions in the Kiev and Chernigiv directions, noting that their talks with the Ukrainian side in Istanbul had been constructive.

The Russian delegation also said, “We have been able to reach a compromise on some articles between the two sides. Our foreign ministers will study these articles in more detail. Ukraine’s proposal will be looked at and reported to Putin.”

Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinskiy announced that the meeting of Putin and Zelenskiy would be possible only if an agreement between foreign ministers were reached.

Meanwhile, the Russian TASS news agency, citing a source familiar with the negotiation process, said that the Moscow side expected “concrete progress” from the talks and hoped that the negotiations in Istanbul would reach the “first important turning point”. “We are waiting for a first and important turning point result” the source said, adding that if there was no final result from the talks, negotiations ouldl continue by videoconferencing method. “I think we will move forward quickly,” the same source said.

Cavusoglu: has been reached on some issues

Foreign Minister Cavusoglu also made a statement after the meeting underlining  they were pleased to see that rapprochement was increasing at every stage between the parties, and consensus and common understanding had been reached on some issues.

Source: tr.euronews.com/