The Kremlin did not anticipate progress from the third round of negotiations with Ukraine, according to Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, RIA Novosti reports.
“Substantive Work” and “Constructive” Proposals
Peskov emphasized that the agenda proposed by Russia was aimed at substantive work, describing Moscow’s proposals during the Istanbul meeting as specific and constructive. He positively assessed the discussion on a number of humanitarian topics, as well as Russia’s suggestion to create working groups online.
Peskov noted that a discussion about a possible high-level meeting between Russia and Ukraine would only be possible once substantial work had been completed.
Agreements on Humanitarian Issues
Following Wednesday’s talks, both sides agreed to continue the ongoing medical exchange of seriously wounded and ill individuals. Russia also offered to transfer an additional three thousand bodies of fallen Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers and to exchange at least 1,200 prisoners from each side.
