Kremlin Decides: Date of Next Ukrainian-Russian Talks in Istanbul Depends on Exchange Process
Russian officials have reported that the date of the next stage of direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul has not yet been determined and will be announced only after the completion of key procedures for the exchange of prisoners and bodies of the dead. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, in a comment to Russian media, emphasized that the issue of the date planned for the third meeting will be resolved only after all agreements reached during the previous meeting on June 2 have been implemented. According to Peskov, the current focus is actually on implementing the humanitarian agreements reached at the end of the second round of talks in Istanbul. He emphasized that all previous agreements on exchanges – including those of the parties regarding bodies and prisoners – must be implemented, and only then will a new date for the next meeting be determined. “We are currently implementing the humanitarian agreements that were reached during the second round of talks in Istanbul. After they are completed, the date for the third round will be determined,” the Kremlin spokesman said. When asked if there were any changes in the dates, he answered briefly: “No. When it becomes known, it will be announced.” Recall that on June 2 in Istanbul, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations agreed on the return of about 6,000 bodies of dead soldiers from both sides, as well as the exchange of prisoners of war and seriously wounded. As part of these agreements, the parties agreed to “all for all,” that is, the mutual release of all military personnel held in captivity and the exchange of young servicemen aged 18 to 25. Since then, numerous exchanges, returns, and registrations of dead Ukrainian defenders have taken place throughout June, which allowed some families to receive the bodies of their loved ones, and the servicemen to return home. However, the date of further negotiations remains uncertain and depends on the exchange of humanitarian levers and the implementation of previous agreements. It is expected that the next meeting of Ukrainian-Russian mediators will take place only after the completion of current procedures, which can only be determined when the issue of exchanges is fully formulated.