Istanbul: Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya and delegation member Oleksandr Bevz met with representatives from Germany, Italy, and the UK in Istanbul to align their positions ahead of direct negotiations with Russia, a Ukrainian official announced on Monday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting sought to coordinate views on the agenda items for the Ukraine-Russia negotiations. Ukrainian delegates emphasized their dedication to peace and highlighted the necessity for a complete ceasefire, the potential for a summit at the leadership level, and the implementation of humanitarian confidence-building measures.
"The sides coordinated positions ahead of today's meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi stated on social media.
The Ukrainian delegation's proposal for a 'leaders' meeting' and a ceasefire is part of ongoing diplomatic initiatives, with Trkiye acting as the mediator in this latest round of talks. Ukraine's delegation arrived in Istanbul on Monday for their second round of direct negotiations with Russia.
According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, Monday's negotiations are scheduled to commence at 1 pm local time (1000GMT) and will be held at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul.