Putin Tells Trump Istanbul Negotiations Between Russia and Ukraine Will Remain Bilateral

In a phone call lasting about an hour, Putin told Trump that Moscow is prepared to continue the negotiation process with Ukraine, though specific dates or terms for a third round of talks were not discussed.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Putin emphasized the negotiations would be bilateral, involving only representatives of Russia and Ukraine. “We proceed from the fact, and I think the American side understands this perfectly well, that the negotiations will be bilateral in nature between representatives of Russia and Ukraine,” Ushakov said.

Putin also updated Trump on the implementation of previous humanitarian agreements reached during the second round of direct talks in Istanbul. These agreements included a prisoner exchange and the handover of bodies of deceased servicemen to Kyiv.

While a third round of negotiations remains a possibility, Ushakov clarified that the specifics of such talks were not discussed during the call. “Our president stated that we are ready to continue the negotiation process,” he added.

The first two rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul, resulting in significant humanitarian agreements, including prisoner exchanges and the return of deceased soldiers. Draft memorandums on conflict resolution were also exchanged during these meetings.