Istanbul talks of Russian, Ukrainian parties raised hopes for peace: Turkish president

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - "Positive and constructive" negotiations between Russia and Ukraine this week in Istanbul have raised hopes for peace, Turkiye’s president said in a phone call with his Russian counterpart on Friday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also reiterated his offer to host Vladimir Putin and their Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks to secure peace between Moscow and Kyiv, according to a statement from Turkiye’s Communications Directorate.

Putin expressed thanks to Erdogan for hosting the peace talks in Istanbul, the statement added.

Talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul this Tuesday were seen as a breakthrough in the push to halt hostilities that, according to latest UN figures, have claimed the lives of at least 1,232 civilians and left 1,935 more injured since Feb. 24.

After the Istanbul meeting, a Ukrainian negotiator said Kyiv wants Turkiye among the countries that will be guarantors in any deal with Moscow.

Earlier this month, Turkiye also brought together the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers in its southern resort city of Antalya, the first meeting of senior government officials from the two sides since the start of the war.