Negotiations between Ukraine and russia in Istanbul ended, parties exchanged documents, new prisoner release is being prepared - Zelenskyy

Negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul (Turkey) have just ended, the parties have exchanged documents, a new prisoner release is being prepared. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this during the statements of the leaders following the Vilnius summit of the "Bucharest Nine" and the Nordic countries, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"The negotiations in Istanbul have just ended and I am waiting for a full report from Minister Umerov. They exchanged documents through the Turkish side and we are preparing a new prisoner release," he said.

Zelenskyy noted that if russia turns the meeting in Istanbul into empty talk, there should be a new level of pressure, new sanctions not only from Europe, but also joint sanctions at the level of the G7, including the US and with everyone in the world who wants peace, in particular, it is important to seriously limit russia's oil trade and its use of tankers.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on Monday, June 2, the second meeting of the delegations of Ukraine and russia began in Istanbul (Turkey) in the presence of the Turkish side.

Head of the Presidential Office Andrii Yermak reported that during the negotiations in Istanbul on Monday, June 2, Ukraine handed over to russia a list of Ukrainian children who need to be returned.

After the first meeting of the delegations of Ukraine and the russian federation in Turkey on May 16, a prisoner exchange in the "1,000 for 1,000" format took place on May 23-25. The parties also agreed to exchange their visions of steps towards a ceasefire.