But despite all the talk, more muscular sanctions have yet to be agreed.
“The Russian delegation is satisfied with the results of negotiations with the Ukrainian side,” Vladimir Medinsky, aide to Russian leader Vladimir Putin and head of the delegation, told reporters after the meeting. He added that the POW exchange would happen “soon.”
At the talks, both sides agreed to clearly define their vision of a future ceasefire, pledging that after that, talks will resume — although no deadline has been set.
The Russians also agreed to consider a Zelenskyy-Putin meeting. The Russian leader this week snubbed his Ukrainian counterpart, who flew to Turkey in hopes of face-to-face talks.
Best laid plans
The Ukraine delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, wanted U.S. and Turkish representatives at the meeting. They consolidated positions in advance with U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio and Ukraine special envoy Keith Kellogg, who were also in Istanbul on Friday, and arranged for Michael Anton, Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department, to attend the talks.
However, the Russian delegation at the last minute pushed for no U.S. representatives, an official familiar with negotiations told POLITICO. In the end, only Turkey was at the table as a third party.
