Third Round of Negotiations Between Russia and Ukraine Kicks Off

The third round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine has commenced in Istanbul at the Çırağan Palace.

The composition of the Russian negotiating team remains unchanged. In previous negotiations held in Istanbul, the Russian side was represented by Presidential Assistant Vladimir Medinsky (head of the delegation), Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree to form a delegation for a new round of negotiations with Russia in Istanbul. The delegation is headed by Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

The Ukrainian delegation also includes Yuri Kovbasa, the Rada's Commissioner for Human Rights in the field of coordination of security and defense bodies, First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kyslytsia, and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yevgeny Ostryansky.

It should be noted that previous meetings of the delegations took place on May 16 and June 2. At that time, the parties agreed on the exchange of prisoners and the bodies of deceased soldiers. Additionally, Moscow and Kyiv have exchanged drafts of memoranda on resolving the conflict.