The political scientist assessed the results of the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine

The results of the Russian-Ukrainian talks held in Istanbul inspire optimism and make us hope that the parties will be able to come to more substantive agreements. Alexander Konkov, associate professor of the Department of Political Science at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia on May 16.

"Based on the results already announced, we can say that, in general, the negotiations were satisfactory, and the results achieved <...> inspire optimism that more substantive results can be achieved," the political scientist noted.

He added that the points that were announced give grounds for subsequent meetings, at which it will be possible to discuss a real written vision of the settlement presented by both sides.

A meeting between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul. What is known by this hour

Earlier in the day, the first talks between Russia and Ukraine since 2022 took place in Istanbul. The Russian delegation was led by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, and the meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

Following the talks, Medinsky said that the Russian delegation was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. Moscow and Kiev have agreed to present their vision of a cease-fire and to conduct a large-scale prisoner exchange according to the "1000 to 1000" formula with Ukraine, said the assistant to the President of the Russian Federation. He also noted that the Russian side had taken note of the Ukrainian delegates' proposal for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky.