ST. PETERSBURG, May 19. /TASS/. Russia in talks on a Ukrainian settlement follows the position as set forth by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in comments on the outcome of meeting in Turkey.
"The position of our country was clearly articulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 14, 2024. Look at how our country in a systematic, principled and logical manner has been acting in line with these guidelines," she told reporters on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.
According to the diplomat, Moscow is showing a responsible position based on international law, the interests of the country and the stability and security of the entire region. The spokeswoman said the Kiev regime, on the other hand, has often changed its position.
"It was evident even from the Istanbul talks alone: One thing in the morning, and another in the evening, and still another the next morning, and it is like that all the time," Zakharova said.
Russia and Ukraine held talks in Istanbul, Turkey on May 16, agreeing to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, present a vision of a possible ceasefire, spelling out details, and to continue communication. The head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, said Russia was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.
Putin in June 2024 named the conditions for talks with Ukraine, which included withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass and Novorossiya, an end to Kiev's aspirations to join NATO, lifting all Western sanctions against Moscow, and Ukraine’s commitment to uphold a non-aligned and nuclear-free status and fully respect the rights, freedoms and interests of its Russian-speaking citizens.