Assessing The Russia-Ukraine Negotiations In Istanbul Is Positive, President Erdogan Wants To Meet Putin With Zelensky

Presiden Vladimir Putin, Presiden Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Presiden Volodymyr Zelensky. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru/Kremlin.ru/Official website of President of Russian Federation/President.gov.ua/Kolase-VOI)

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan considered the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul last Tuesday to be positive, while reiterating the desire to bring together the leaders of the two countries, during talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul provides "meaningful momentum" for the peace process, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky Thursday.

"The president (Erdogan) stated that the meeting held between the negotiating delegations of Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, has added significant momentum to the process carried out, for the cessation of war and the establishment of peace in light of the results," Erdogan's press office wrote on Twitter, TASS reported April 1.

Meanwhile, President Zelensky said he thanked President Erdogan, appreciated him for arranging the meeting.

On the occasion, President Erdogan also reiterated his proposal to arrange a meeting between President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Noting it was important for the negotiations held in Istanbul to produce various signs of de-escalation of tensions. The President (Erdogan) repeated his proposal to bring together President Zelensky of Ukraine and President Putin of Russia, with Turkey hosting the meeting," the presidential press office tweeted.

As previously reported, at a meeting last Tuesday Russia promised to reduce its military operations in the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions. Meanwhile, Ukraine offered a proposal for a neutral position without an alliance, including not becoming a military base for foreign countries.