Erdogan, Putin agree to hold next round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Turkey
WASHINGTON
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are “beyond doubt” ahead of the next round of in-person talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Turkey this week.
As the deadly Russian offensive rolls on into its second month, Zelensky said in a video address, “Our goal is obvious: peace and the restoration of normal life.”
The Washington Post reported on Monday that Turkey, a NATO member that has struggled to balance its ties with both Russia and Ukraine, has been eager to offer itself as an intermediary in the conflict.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed his desire for a cease-fire in a phone call Sunday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media reported. Discussions are set to take place Monday to Wednesday, Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia said.
In the past day, military operations northwest of Kyiv appear to have paused, as the Kremlin recalibrates its strategy after failing to capture the capital. Pentagon intelligence suggests Russia is changing its focus to controlling the eastern Donbas region, where pro-Kremlin separatist forces have long fought the Ukrainian government.
Satellite images and videos verified by The Washington Post show that Kremlin-backed forces began building a camp in Russian-controlled territory just east of the besieged city of Mariupol in recent weeks, amid allegations from local officials that residents were being forcibly taken to “filtration camps.”
It is pertinent to mention the Turkish presidency disclosed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin has been reported to hold next round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Turkey’s Istanbul city.
The two leaders had a phone conversation on Sunday and discussed the latest situation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the negotiation process, the Turkish presidency said in a statement.
The two leaders “agreed that the next meeting of the negotiation teams of Russia and Ukraine will be held in Istanbul,” the statement said.
