Moscow – SABA:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul last Monday resulted in tangible outcomes.
This came during a government meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, as Lavrov evaluated the Istanbul talks aimed at achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Lavrov said, “I believe the results of the negotiations are significant and beneficial. The process of direct negotiation is ongoing,” according to Anadolu Agency.
He noted that the Istanbul negotiations yielded tangible results, particularly concerning the return of the wounded and injured.
“I believe it is always better to have a communication channel under any circumstances. This will allow us to resolve humanitarian issues first and foremost,” he added.
Commenting on Ukraine’s rejection of a short ceasefire proposal for two or three days to collect bodies in certain areas along the frontlines, Lavrov said: “There may still be wounded individuals. It is clear that the Kyiv regime made a grave mistake by bluntly and harshly rejecting this proposal, just as (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky ignored our initiatives for a humanitarian ceasefire on Easter and the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.”
He pointed to recent provocations on Russian territory, adding: “Despite the grave criminal provocations over the past few days, I believe it is important not to succumb to these provocations, which are clearly aimed at disrupting negotiations and continuing arms supplies from European countries.”
On Sunday, the Ukrainian Security Service announced that Kyiv had targeted 34% of Russian strategic missile carrier aircraft in attacks on various military airports across Russia.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Ukraine carried out drone attacks on military air bases in the Russian regions of Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, with some aircraft catching fire.
Istanbul hosted a second round of Russian-Ukrainian talks last Monday aimed at ending the war that has been ongoing since 2022. During the talks, both parties agreed to move forward with a prisoner exchange, and the Russian side submitted a memorandum outlining its vision for a ceasefire.
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