Russia and Ukrainian delegations, who met yesterday Wednesday in Constantinople, agreed to have a new exchange of prisoners, but confirming that the gap between the two sides of the ceasefire remains bridging and for the prospect of a meeting. Vladimir Putin and Volodimir Zelenski.

“We have made progress on the humanitarian level, but not in terms of cessation of hostilities”said the head of the Ukrainian delegation Rustem Umeroafter completing the third round of talks, which lasted 40 minutes.

He also said that Kiev was proposing a meeting of Ukrainian President Zelenski with his Russian counterpart by Putin until the end of August. “By agreeing with this proposal, Russia could show a constructive approach”, Umero completed.

For his part, the head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Mentinsky commented that a meeting at the president level would only make sense for the signing of a treaty, not “For discussion of all the material from the beginning.” EHe sailed Moscow’s proposal to Kiev for pauses of hostilities ’24 to 48 hours’ In the battlefields, so that the two armies have the opportunity to collect dead and wounded on the fronts. He found, however, that in general, the positions of the two warriors are “far away”.

Ukraine wants an immediate ceasefire longer.

Talks in Istanbul were held a few days after the US president Donald Trump It has threatened Russia with new, strict sanctions and countries that import products from it if no peace agreement has been reached between Moscow and Kiev within 50 days.

Mentinsky said the two delegations agreed to Exchange of at least 1,200 prisoners of war on each sideadding that Russia also intends to deliver more than 3,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers.

He also stated that Moscow is studying a directory with 339 names children from Ukrainewhich Kiev says they were abducted and transferred to Russia. The Kremlin denies this category and says it offers protection to children separated by their families during the war. “Some children have already been returned to Ukraine. Efforts continue for the rest. If their parents are found or close relatives (…) these children will return to their home country immediately. “Mentinsky assured.

Umero emphasized that Kiev expects ‘Further progress’ On the subject of prisoners of war, complementing: “We still insist on the release of civilians, including children.” Ukrainian authorities argue that More than 19,000 children were transferred despite their will to Russia or in occupied territories after the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Before the start of the third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Constantinople, the Kremlin downgraded expectations for its outcome, pointing out that there are bridging differences in the positions of the two sides and stressing that Miracles should not be expected.

Yesterday’s talks in Istanbul were shorter than the previous rounds of talks between the two delegations – May 16, June 2 – which lasted less than three hours.