Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umarov said that after Russian-Ukrainian peace negotiations in Istanbul organized by Turkey, a meeting at the leaders level should be organized, and this will be the next step of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian delegation answered questions from media representatives after the completion of a tripartite meeting of Türkiye-Russia-Ukraine, organized as part of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in the office of President Dolmabakhche in Istanbul.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Umarov noted that the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky was expecting a high -level negotiations here: “I think the next step will be this: a meeting at the level of leaders should take place. And this will be our next step.”
Having emphasized that Ukraine wants peace, the minister added: “Ukraine is focused on people. We are strong and able to continue the struggle. But in the end we must end this war.”
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Sergey Kislitsa in her emphasized that on May 16 “is a potentially very good result of a very difficult day.” This is the result of long -term work with the leaders of Turkey, Ukraine, the USA and European partners of Ukraine.
According to him, the pressure on Russia should continue: “There are many issues that can be resolved if leaders can get together. Given the complexity of issues and the nature of the Russian Federation, given that almost every issue can be resolved only by Russian President Vladimir Putin, we hope that the summit will take place as soon as possible.”
noting that the exchange of 1000 prisoners with Russia as a result of today’s negotiations is a positive event, Kislitsa said: “(exchange of prisoners) is excellent news for 1000 families in Ukraine.”
Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Vadim Skibitsky said that one of the most important issues of today’s negotiations was to achieve an agreement on the return of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners home.
recalling that the Russian side agreed to exchange 1000 prisoners, the diplomat continued: “From today, we will begin to work on the lists of people who will be exchanged in the Kyiv region. We are working with a normal work with the Russian side.”
Skibitsky noted that they will seek the return of all Ukrainian citizens to their homes: “We are waiting for them, we will meet them with joy. We will continue to work with the Russian side.”