Kosachev noted the importance of the agreements on the continuation of contacts with Ukraine.

The results of the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul represent the maximum achievable at the moment. This was stated on May 16 by Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council, in an interview with Interfax.

He stressed the importance of the agreement reached on continuing contacts with the Ukrainian side. According to Kosachev, this indicates that the negotiation process has returned to normal, as planned in March 2022.

"We are concerned about attempts by Europeans who have nothing to do with the negotiations to comment on them in a negative way for Russia. It is once again confirmed that this only requires a "strategic defeat of Russia," the parliamentarian added.

Territorial principles: how the dialogue between Russia and Ukraine can begin

And what is capable of disrupting the first direct negotiations in three years?

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul began earlier in the day. The Russian delegation consists of Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igor Kostyukov, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense.

Later, the head of the Russian delegation, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky, announced the completion of negotiations between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. According to him, the parties agreed on a prisoner exchange in the ratio of 1,000 to 1,000. The Ukrainian side also offered to hold talks between the leaders of the states, and Russia took this request into account.