Turkey says Russia, Ukraine close on ‘critical’ issues

Turkey on Sunday mentioned talks between Ukraine and Russia are nearing settlement on “essential” points that might result in a cease-fire, in keeping with a report.

Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba met within the Turkish resort city of Antalya earlier this month however the talks didn’t result in any outcomes, however discussions final week provided a glimmer of hope, Reuters reported, citing Turkish International Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s feedback in Turkish media.

Cavusoglu mentioned the talks final week in Russia and Ukraine, which he attended, indicated “rapprochement within the positions of either side on necessary topics, essential topics.”

“We are able to say we’re longing for a cease-fire if the perimeters don’t take a step again from the present positions,” he mentioned, with out elaborating on the problems.

Turkey’s presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin mentioned the 2 sides have been nearing settlement on a number of points — Moscow’s demand that Kyiv again off its ambitions to affix NATO; demilitarization of the nation, which Russia has referred to as “de-Nazification;” and proposals to guard the Russian language in Ukraine.

Western nations and Ukraine have dismissed Russia’s claims that “neo-Nazis” are behind the federal government in Kyiv as propaganda, declaring that President Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish.

Kalin mentioned a everlasting cease-fire might occur solely after a gathering between President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky, however that the Russian chief believed “strategic points” involving Crimea and Donbas remained too unresolved to benefit a sit down.

Russia invaded Crimea in 2014 and has supported pro-separatist militias in Donbas, a area in jap Ukraine that’s now occupied by Russian forces.

Turkey, a NATO member, shares a maritime border with Russia and Ukraine within the Black Sea and has a very good relationship with each international locations.