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The third round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will most likely take place in Istanbul again, a source told Russian media outlet RIA Novosti.
The second round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations concluded in Istanbul on Monday, with the meeting lasting more than an hour at Ciragan Palace. The first round took place on May 16 at the Turkish president's administration working office in the Besiktas district.
"Most likely, the new round will take place in Istanbul again," the source said.
A Turkish diplomatic source told RIA Novosti that Türkiye is ready to host another round of negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, but no timeline has been agreed upon.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that "it is a success in itself that the meeting happened despite what happened yesterday," calling the talks at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul "magnificent."
"When have we been against it? We are always ready. But there are no specifics on timing yet," the agency's source stated.
President Erdogan's initiative to prepare a leaders' meeting to resolve the Ukraine conflict envisions preparation through traditional "telephone diplomacy," including with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Turkish presidential administration sources told RIA Novosti.
"The traditional 'telephone diplomacy' of the Turkish president has contributed to resolving crises in the world. In this regard, it can be assumed that it will also make itself known during the preparation for the summit of Türkiye, Russia, the US, and Ukraine under the initiative of (Mr) President Erdogan," a Russian agency source said.
The Turkish leader announced Monday that he expects a meeting between US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Türkiye.
"My greatest wish for both sides is to bring both (Russia's) Vladimir Putin and (Ukraine's Volodymyr) Zelenskyy together in Istanbul or Ankara, and even to bring (U.S. President) Mr. (Donald) Trump to their side, if they accept," Erdogan said.
The summit on resolving the Ukraine conflict initiated by the Turkish president could take place in the near future, with the negotiation process in Istanbul potentially bringing the timeline closer depending on its intensity, Turkish presidential administration sources told RIA Novosti.
"We hope very soon. Everything depends on the negotiation process of the delegations (Russia and Ukraine) in Istanbul, which can actually bring the timeline of this summit closer," a representative of the Turkish leader's administration told the agency.
Monday's second round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul continued for more than an hour, building on the groundwork established during the first round in May. The talks represent Türkiye's continued role as mediator in the conflict.
The meetings demonstrate Türkiye's sustained diplomatic engagement in facilitating dialogue between the warring parties, with Istanbul serving as a neutral venue for direct negotiations.
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