Ukraine war: Istanbul talks fail to clinch ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but meeting between Putin and Zelensky possible
- Russia’s military said it will cut back operations near Kyiv, Chernihiv; Ukraine proposed neutral status with international guarantees to protect it from attack
- Russia indicated a meeting was possible between President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart but no date set for future talks
Ukraine and Russia failed to clinch a ceasefire in talks that ended in Istanbul on Tuesday, with Moscow saying it will reduce military operations in areas where its forces are being pushed back and Kyiv calling for security guarantees from European Union and Nato members.
A Ukrainian negotiator said his country is seeking guarantees for territory that does not include Russian-controlled areas and that Kyiv is willing to discuss the status of occupied Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.
Russia indicated a meeting was possible between President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russia’s delegation left Istanbul, and no date or time was set for any potential future talks, according to a person close to the Moscow delegation.
The talks were taking place with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan there and under the shadow of shock allegations that delegates were poisoned at a previous round of negotiations.