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Istanbul is becoming the "main platform" for Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu declared Thursday during a meeting with Türkiye's top security official.
"The Istanbul platform is becoming the main platform for conducting negotiations in all areas—concerning the Black Sea, the Black Sea deal, the grain deal, and now the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations," Shoygu stated during his meeting with Türkiye's National Security Council Secretary General Okay Memis, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.
Shoygu expressed gratitude to Türkiye's leadership for providing the Istanbul platform for Russia-Ukraine negotiations, acknowledging Ankara's substantial efforts in creating optimal conditions for diplomatic dialogue.
"We know that Ankara has made considerable efforts, including in terms of ensuring security, to create optimal conditions for the work of delegations," the Russian official stated.
The comments come following the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years, which took place in Istanbul on May 16.
During those negotiations, both countries reached significant agreements on prisoner exchanges and future dialogue.
The May 16 Istanbul talks resulted in a breakthrough agreement for a large-scale prisoner exchange involving 1,000 people from each side.
Both Russia and Ukraine, with Türkiye's facilitation, also committed to continuing negotiations toward achieving a truce.
This marked the first direct diplomatic engagement between the two countries since their conflict began, highlighting Istanbul's growing importance as a neutral ground for peace efforts.
Shoygu emphasized that Istanbul's role extends beyond Russia-Ukraine negotiations, serving as a venue for discussions on various regional issues, including Black Sea matters and grain deal arrangements.
The Russian official thanked Memis for participating in the international meeting of high representatives overseeing security issues, noting it was his first visit to Moscow.
During the meeting, Shoygu assessed the broader bilateral relationship, stating that "Russian-Turkish political dialogue is actively developing in all directions."
"We are connected with Ankara through the successful implementation of major joint projects in trade, economic, and energy sectors," the Russian Security Council Secretary noted.
He attributed the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation largely to the intensive and trusting dialogue between the two countries' leaders, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who maintain regular telephone communications.
Shoygu referenced the ongoing high-level diplomatic contact between Moscow and Ankara, noting that "the most recent substantive conversation between the leaders took place on May 11."
The regular communication between Putin and Erdogan has been instrumental in maintaining diplomatic channels and facilitating various negotiation processes, according to the Russian official.
Istanbul's emergence as a primary negotiation venue reflects Türkiye's strategic position in regional diplomacy and its ability to maintain dialogue with all parties involved in various conflicts and agreements.
With both Russia and Ukraine having agreed to continue negotiations for a truce during their May meeting in Istanbul, the Turkish metropolis is positioned to play an increasingly central role in peace efforts.
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