Russia has expressed its readiness to hold negotiations with the Ukrainian side in Istanbul, noting Kyiv’s lack of response to previous initiatives.

Russia’s charge d’affaires ad interim in Turkey Alexey Ivanov told Russian news agency TASS, “The Russian side has repeatedly emphasized that we are ready to continue direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side, with the Ukrainian delegation. Our Turkish partners have also consistently stressed that the Istanbul platform remains available to us, these doors remain open.”

He added, “If Kiev shows political will, we are ready for such negotiations at any moment.”