Negotiations concluded in Turkey, Russia to reduce combat operations

(Patria) - The meeting of Russian and Ukrainian negotiators has concluded, Turkey announced. 

The negotiating teams met in Istanbul for a new round of peace talks. Roman Abramovich was at the talks, but is not officially part of the negotiating teams.

Businessman Roman Abramovich is not an official member of the Russian delegation at the negotiations in Istanbul, but he is involved in ensuring contacts between Moscow and Kyiv, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. His participation has been approved by both sides.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin says Russia will radically reduce military activity around Kyiv and Chernihiv, the Russian news agency Tass reports. This is a result of today's negotiations, in order to further conduct talks that will lead to the signing of a peace agreement.  

Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak commented on the negotiations and clarified two key issues being discussed.

Podolyak says today's negotiations are aimed at regulating international security guarantees for Ukraine.

"Intense consultations are currently underway on some important issues, the most important of which is the agreement on international security guarantees for Ukraine, because with this agreement we will be able to end the war in a way that is necessary for Ukraine," says Podolyak.

He also clarifies that the second very important issue is a ceasefire in order to resolve all the accumulated humanitarian problems.

Podolyak emphasizes that everyone needs an urgent solution and that discussions are precisely about these matters.

"I would especially like to emphasize the fact that today we have another problem that is becoming bigger and bigger. It is the problem of the escalation of the war, the escalation of hatred, the escalation of violations of the rules of war that are happening not only on the battlefield," said Podolyak.