Face-to-Face Talks Resume With ‘Fresh Hope for Peace’ in Ukraine

Face-to-face peace talks have resumed as negotiators from Russia and Ukraine met in the Turkish capital Istanbul in a search for common ground that would put an end to the war that has killed thousands and driven millions from their homes.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the delegates, saying that “stopping this tragedy” was up to them.

“We hope that your meetings and your consultations will be auspicious for your countries, for our region, and for all of humanity,” Erdogan told the delegates at the start of the talks.

NATO member Turkey shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, has good ties with both, and has sought to mediate the conflict. Turkey-mediated talks in Antalya several weeks ago between the foreign ministers of both sides led to no progress on a ceasefire.

The Turkish president said he had spoken by phone in recent days with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Erdogan saying their conversations had revived expectations for a negotiated settlement.

“In line with the instructions from your leaders, the negotiations that you are running have given fresh hope for peace,” Erdogan told the negotiators ahead of Tuesday’s discussions.