The Russian Federation made a statement following the negotiations in Turkey.

On Wednesday, July 23, the next stage of negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation took place in Istanbul. The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, stated that 'the positions of Ukraine and Russia regarding the memorandums differ significantly.'

Medinsky summarized the negotiations in Istanbul

He emphasized that the positions outlined in the memorandums delivered for achieving peace are significantly different.

'We agreed to continue contacts - both at the level of delegations and, we hope, at the level of working groups'

, stated Medinsky.

Medinsky also pointed out that, in his opinion, 101 points of the agreement on the part of Ukraine remained unfulfilled because not all residents of the Kursk region, who were allegedly evacuated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, returned home.

Medinsky also reported that sanitary exchanges, during which the parties transfer the wounded to each other, have continued, and expressed hope for the return of children taken out of Ukraine.

Initiative for a meeting of heads of state

Rustem Umerov reported that Ukraine has proposed to organize a meeting between the heads of state in Istanbul. It is planned that, in addition to Ukraine and Russia, the President of Turkey, Tayyip Erdogan, and the President of the USA, Donald Trump, will participate in the meeting.

After that, Vladimir Medinsky emphasized that , as it could become a decisive step in resolving the conflict.

During the last meeting in Istanbul between representatives of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, significant discrepancies were found in the positions of the parties regarding the terms of the memorandums and the fulfillment of agreements. Ukraine proposed to organize a meeting of heads of state in Istanbul, where, in addition to the Ukrainian and Russian leaders, the presidents of Turkey and the USA will also participate.