NEWSFLASH: Peace talks begin in Turkey
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Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have begun in Istanbul, a day later than was planned.
Approximately at 1:35 p.m. local time, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations met with Turkish officials.
Peace is possible if three key conditions are met: a complete ceasefire lasting at least 30 days, the return of deported Ukrainian children, and an ‘all for all’ prisoner exchange, said Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov before the talks.
Despite initially saying they would also be present, the United States ultimately did not participate in the negotiations. Over the past two days, statements about each country’s participation and which representatives they would be sending have repeatedly changed.
All week, many hoped that peace talks at the highest level would be a step closer to bringing the war between Russia and Ukraine to an end. However, negotiations between Zelenskyy and Putin did not occur – although the Ukrainian president did arrive in Turkey on Thursday morning.
After the paywall:
Who is participating in the first Russia-Ukraine bilateral meeting since 2022;
What conditions is Russia demanding from Ukraine;
Why Russia-Ukraine negotiations failed in 2022.