First Day Of Russia-Ukraine Talks In Istanbul Finished, Kyiv Delegation Reveals Issues Discussed

Russia's peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkiye)

JAKARTA - Russian and Ukrainian delegations concluded the first day of talks in Istanbul, Turkey on Tuesday, Haberturk TV reported. There are no details about the outcome of the talks between the two delegations.

According to TASS March 29, the talks took place at Turkey's Dolmabahce Presidential Office, lasting more than three hours.

Earlier, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, said there would be a statement after the talks. He said talks had started at 09:30 Moscow time.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak on Tuesday outlined some of the issues discussed, in talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, saying there were "intensive consultations" on some issues.

"The key is the agreement on international security guarantees for Ukraine. Only with this agreement can we end the war according to Ukraine's needs," Podolyak said, referring to the Ukrainian government's longstanding position that the country would adopt neutral status only if it was granted binding security guarantees. .

The second issue, Podolyak added, "is the issue of a ceasefire, so that all humanitarian problems can be resolved." Ukrainian officials say there is a major humanitarian crisis in cities that have been heavily bombarded by Russia, including the besieged port of Mariupol.

Podolyak also alluded to videos and other evidence that emerged, about the ill-treatment of detainees and other potential violations of the law of armed conflict.

"I also want to emphasize that today we have other problems that are developing, problems of escalation of war, escalation of hatred, escalation of violations of customs and rules of war, not only on the battlefield," said Podolyak.

"Occasional calls from both sides to destroy one or the other country. All this leads to conflict, to videos of violations of the Geneva Conventions on prisoners of war," he added, saying the Ukrainian military was committed to ensuring it didn't happen again, had legal consequences for people. -people who break the rules of war."