JAKARTA - Russia suggested a meeting between the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky, be held concurrently with the signing of a bilateral agreement by the foreign ministers of the two countries, Aide to Russian President Vladimir Medinsky, who led the Russian delegation to talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, said Tuesday.
"After a meaningful conversation today, we agreed and suggested a solution, in which a meeting between heads of state is possible, along with the signing of an agreement by the foreign ministers," he said, as quoted by TASS March 30.
"Moreover, during the initialization and consideration of the details of the agreement, it was possible to discuss various nuances and political details," he continued after the Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul.
"So, if work on the agreement and the necessary compromises proceed quickly, it is likely that peace will be closer," he added.
According to Medinsky, the Russian side had previously said such a meeting would be possible, when the agreement drafted by the negotiators and foreign ministers of the two countries was ready for signature.
The scheme is as follows: first, an agreement is drafted, then approved by negotiators, signed by the foreign minister at a private meeting. And only after that a possible meeting between heads of state is convened to sign this agreement.
"This is not a simple matter, moreover it can become a multilateral meeting involving countries that guarantee peace and security in Ukraine," he said.
As previously reported, positive news came from Istanbul, Turkey where peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were held Tuesday, with Russia pledging to reduce its military operations and Ukraine proposing a neutral status.
A step forward that allows the opening of a ceasefire, ending the invasion that has been taking place since last February 24, as well as opening the opportunity for a meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky.
Earlier, during a meeting with the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that progress in the negotiations between the two sides opened the opportunity for a meeting of the two leaders of the countries, with Turkey ready to host again.
VOIR éGALEMENT:
"The progress that you will make in the negotiations will also enable the next stage, namely establishing contacts at the leadership level. We are also ready to host such a meeting," President Erdogan said, citing the website of the Presidency of The Republic of Turkiye.
"Even your meeting here is a reason for hope in the world and in your country. I hope that your efforts on the path to peace will turn into fruitful results. I ask you to extend my most sincere greetings to your heads of state, each of whom each is a good friend of mine. I wish you all success in your negotiations," he concluded.
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