Istanbul - Saba:
A new round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin in Istanbul later on Monday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated, according to Sputnik, that the Russian delegation is ready to submit a memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation regarding the settlement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, for his part, indicated that Moscow considers it a mistake to disclose its negotiating positions through the media.
Meanwhile, some details of the draft Kyiv memorandum have appeared in the press, published by the New York Times. The memorandum details a ceasefire on land, at sea, and in the air, under the supervision of "international partners".
The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul with the same composition as in the first round, headed by Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky. The Ukrainian delegation was expanded from 12 to 14 people, but the head of the delegation remained the same: Defense Minister Rustam Umarov.
The Russian delegation participating in the negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement arrived at Ataturk Airport at 8:23 PM Moscow time.
The first round was held on May 16, the first since the spring of 2022, when the negotiation process was halted due to Western pressure on Kyiv, led by Britain.
After the first round of talks in Istanbul, the head of the Russian delegation, Medinsky, stated that Moscow was satisfied with the results of the meeting and was ready to continue contacts with Ukrainian representatives.
Medinsky also reported that an agreement had been reached with Kyiv on a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, which was successfully completed in three stages from May 23 to 25.
Furthermore, the head of the Russian delegation confirmed that the two sides agreed to present their detailed vision for a possible future ceasefire, with the negotiation process to continue thereafter.
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