Negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian representatives began in Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace on Friday, hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, marking their first face-to-face discussions in three years aimed at seeking a resolution to the conflict, local media said on Friday.
Previously, multiple diplomatic sessions involving teams from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and Turkey were conducted, as reported by Turkish Foreign Ministry officials. The BBC's camera operator noted that delegates from both nations avoided shaking hands.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed in Ankara Thursday morning to consult with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before finalizing Kiev's stance on the negotiations. The Kremlin stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not participate.
