The State Department called the meeting on Ukraine in Istanbul a "favorable opportunity"

The American administration considers the meeting scheduled for May 15 in Istanbul to be a critically favorable opportunity for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine. Tommy Pigott, deputy head of the press service of the US State Department, said this at a briefing on May 13.

"The meeting in Istanbul is a critical opportunity for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine. <...> This is a critically important opportunity to hold direct talks to try to achieve a ceasefire and then a lasting peace," he said.

According to Pigott, US President Donald Trump wants the meeting to take place, and also seeks to achieve a cease-fire and establish lasting peace.

Istanbul 2.0: what is known about possible negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on May 15

Information about the meeting level was not disclosed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated direct talks on May 11, suggesting that the Ukrainian side resume dialogue on May 15 in Istanbul three years later. Trump, in turn, called on Ukraine to immediately accept Russia's proposal.