Russia says it continues to view Istanbul agreements as foundation for negotiations on Ukraine

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia continues to view the 2022 Istanbul agreements as the foundation for negotiations on resolving the Ukraine conflict.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov said the US has also acknowledged the possibility of using the Russia-Ukraine Istanbul agreements as a basis for a future peace document.

"We have also heard statements from Washington suggesting that this could serve as a foundation, a starting point for negotiations. And, of course, President (of Russia Vladimir) Putin has reiterated that the Istanbul agreements could form the basis for discussions," he said.

In March 2022, Russia and Ukraine held multiple rounds of talks in Istanbul, which resulted in the approval of a draft peace agreement.

However, Kyiv later withdrew from the agreement. Representatives of the Ukrainian presidential administration later claimed the decision was influenced by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.