Russia announced today through its negotiator that it is "satisfied" with the outcome of the first peace talks with Ukraine since 2022, held in Istanbul, and that it is "ready to continue contacts."
"Overall, we are satisfied with the result and are ready to continue contacts," Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, told reporters.
In negotiations that lasted barely two hours, Russia and Ukraine agreed today to exchange 1.000 prisoners of war each, Medinsky said.
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It would be the largest exchange of prisoners of war since the start of the war in 2022.
Medinsky also said that Moscow and Kiev had agreed to exchange detailed proposals for a ceasefire.
Ukraine has requested a meeting between heads of state Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russia will consider it, he confirmed, adding that Russia is ready to continue talks.
Kiev has accused the Kremlin of making new, unacceptable demands for the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from vast swaths of territory.
A Ukrainian official said the Ukrainian side reiterated that it remains focused on achieving real progress, which is an immediate ceasefire and a diplomatic solution as proposed by the US, EU and others.
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