Erdogan to meet with Russian Ukraine delegations ahead of negotiations

In a televised address following the cabinet's meeting, Erdogan said that in separate telephone conversations with Ukrainian President Volodyyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, progress in a positive direction was obvious, without offering details, the AP reports.

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators will start talks face-to-face tomorrow in Istanbul.

Turkey hopes that future negotiations between Russia's and Ukraine delegations will lead to peace in Ukraine, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said yesterday.

With the initiative of Turkish President Erdogan, the negotiating delegations of Russia and Ukraine will meet in Turkey. We are aware of the responsibilities that arise from confidence both sides have in Turkey. We hope that meetings will result in a permanent ceasefire and enable peace”, Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter.