Istanbul Will Become the Main Platform for Negotiations - Shoigu

Istanbul is becoming the main platform for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, stated Sergey Shoigu, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council.

"The Istanbul platform is becoming the primary venue for negotiations in all areas related to the Black Sea, the Black Sea Agreement, and the grain deal. And now, the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations," Shoigu said during a meeting with Ockay Memis, the Chief Secretary of Turkey's National Security Council.

He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Republic of Turkey for providing the Istanbul platform for conducting Russian-Ukrainian negotiations. "We know that Ankara has made significant efforts, including ensuring security, to create optimal conditions for the work of delegations," Shoigu added.

He thanked Memis for participating in the international meeting of high-ranking representatives dealing with security, clarifying that this is his first visit to Moscow. According to Shoigu, "Russian-Turkish political dialogue is actively developing in all areas."

"We are connected with Ankara through the successful implementation of large joint projects in trade, economic, and energy sectors," said the Secretary of the Russian Security Council. Shoigu noted that the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation is "largely determined by the intensity of trustful dialogue between the leaders of the two countries. Presidents (of Russia) Putin and (Turkey's Recep Tayyip) Erdogan regularly communicate via phone."