Russia’s top negotiator outlines key outcomes of Istanbul talks (FULL STATEMENT)

Russia’s chief negotiator at the Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, Vladimir Medinsky, has delivered a statement following the first direct peace talks between Moscow and Kiev in three years. The discussions on Friday lasted for nearly two hours.

Medinsky announced a major prisoner exchange, acknowledged Kiev’s request for a meeting involving Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and confirmed that both sides will soon present detailed proposals for a potential ceasefire, after which the negotiations will continue.

Here is the full text of Medinsky’s statement: 

Dear colleagues,

Direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side, organized at the initiative of the president of Russia, have just concluded. Overall, we are satisfied with the outcome and are ready to continue contacts.

Here is what was agreed:

First – in the coming days, a large-scale prisoner exchange will take place, 1,000 for 1,000 people.

Second – the Ukrainian side requested direct talks between the heads of state, and we have taken this request into account.

And third – we agreed that each side will present its vision of a possible future ceasefire, outlining it in detail. Once these visions are presented, it has been mutually agreed that it would be appropriate to continue our negotiations.