Discussions in Türkiye could restart at any time if Ukraine agrees.

On Wednesday, Russia expressed its willingness to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, the last of which took place in July.

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“At present, the negotiations are stalled by Kiev. Turkish representatives have called more than once to resume them. The Russian side is ready to do so. The ball is in Ukraine’s court,” said Alexei Polishchuk, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Post-Soviet Countries.

“Although the talks were not easy, significant agreements were reached in the humanitarian field regarding large-scale exchanges of soldiers, repatriation of bodies, and the return of civilians. Both sides exchanged memorandums outlining their vision for a settlement,” he added.

Russia’s charge d’affaires in Turkey, Alexei Ivanov, said that Moscow has repeatedly insisted that it is ready to continue direct talks with the Ukrainian side.

“If there is political will on the part of Kiev, we are ready for such negotiations at any time. Our Turkish colleagues also consistently emphasize that Istanbul remains on the table as a venue, that those doors remain open,” he noted.

On July 23, during the last round of negotiations, Moscow proposed creating three working groups to advance the talks — one political, one military, and one humanitarian.

Ukraine accuses the Kremlin of delaying negotiations by refusing to declare a cease-fire, as demanded by the United States and the European Union. In response to that demand, U.S. President Donald Trump canceled the Budapest summit, where he was scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the West should focus not on halting hostilities but on suspending arms supplies to Ukraine.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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