Russia, Ukraine Foreign Ministers could meet soon for talks, says Turkey

Turkey said Thursday that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba could meet for discussions in two weeks after hosting representatives from both sides earlier this week.

“There could be a higher-level meeting, at least at the level of foreign ministers, within about a week or two weeks,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a televised interview.

“What matters is that the two sides come together and agree on a lasting ceasefire,” he said. “We would like to host a foreign ministers’ meeting as an honest mediator.”

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators on Tuesday gathered in Istanbul. The negotiations offered a glimmer of optimism for bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, but there are few signs that attacks are slowing down on the ground.

Turkey, a NATO member with favorable relations on both sides, has positioned itself as a mediator, hosting Lavrov and Kuleba in Antalya in early March.

The meetings in Istanbul, according to Cavusoglu, yielded the most substantial development so yet.

“Is everything over? It’s not… Some steps were taken to reduce the tension, even though we don’t see it much on the ground,” he said.

“Some say it’s tactical manoeuvering. Some raise doubts. We are cautious,” said Cavusoglu.

The Turkish minister also complimented Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea Football Club, who was present at the Istanbul discussions, for his “helpful role” in bringing the war to a conclusion.

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