UPDATE - Top Russian, US diplomats discuss results of Moscow-Kyiv peace talks held in Istanbul

ADDS US STATEMENTS

By Elena Teslova and Yasin Gungor

MOSCOW/ISTANBUL (AA) - The Russian and US top diplomats on Saturday discussed the results of the peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv that took place in Istanbul a day before.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the telephone conversation between Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio took place at the initiative of the American side.

"The heads of the foreign services exchanged views on the outcomes of the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations held the previous day in Istanbul," the statement said.

According to the ministry, Rubio welcomed the agreements on the exchange of prisoners of war, as well as the decision by both sides to prepare their respective visions of the conditions necessary to achieve a ceasefire. He also emphasized Washington’s continued readiness to support efforts toward a resolution.

"Sergey Lavrov acknowledged the US positive role in helping secure Kyiv’s eventual acceptance of President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to resume the Istanbul talks. He confirmed Moscow’s readiness to continue working jointly with American counterparts in this context," the statement noted.

Several other international and regional issues were also discussed during the conversation, including the prospect of further Russian-American contacts, the ministry said.

- 'Let's not miss this huge opportunity'

Commenting on his meeting with Lavrov, Rubio said on X that he reiterated US President Donald Trump's message to Lavrov.

“The death and destruction must stop,” Rubio wrote, adding that the US had presented a ‘strong peace plan.’

“Let's not miss this huge opportunity. The time for ending this war is now,” he said.

“United States is committed to achieving a lasting end to the Russia-Ukraine war,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement about the call, adding that Washington's "comprehensive peace plan" is "the best way forward."