President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia is ready to hold a new round of peace negotiations with Ukraine, possibly in Istanbul, Turkey, although the exact time and place have not yet been defined.
“We agree that, after completing this stage, we will hold a third round of negotiations. In general, we are ready for it, but we need to agree on the place and time,” he said.
Putin admitted that there are major differences between the proposals presented by the two countries in previous negotiations, but expressed hope that the continuity of dialogue will help to reduce the difference.
The president pointed out to reporters in Minsk that
“And what will be the subject (from the meeting) – the subject, in my opinion, of both parties,” he said.
It also pointed out that Russia is ready to return the bodies of another 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers. According to Putin, more than 6,000 bodies have already been delivered.
