The White House noted progress in negotiations on Ukraine after the meeting in Istanbul

The direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul demonstrate how far the peace process has progressed in recent months. This was announced on June 3 at a briefing by White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt.

"Yesterday, Russia and Ukraine held direct talks. This happened at the initiative of the President [of the United States Donald] Trump, when he spoke with the leaders of both countries on the phone just a couple of weeks ago. And I would like to remind you how far we have come in just four months. Last year, it was impossible to imagine Russia and Ukraine holding direct talks," Leavitt said.

In her opinion, the meeting of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on June 2 took place thanks to Trump's perseverance and determination. Leavitt stressed that the American leader sees progress in the negotiation process between the countries, although he can still impose sanctions against Russia if necessary.

Related topics: what are the results of the second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine

Moscow has offered Kiev an exchange of prisoners and bodies of dead soldiers.

The second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ended earlier in the day. According to a source in Izvestia, they lasted more than an hour and were broadcast in Russian. According to the source, during the meeting, the parties discussed in detail possible prisoner exchanges.

After the talks, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, said that Ukraine and Russia had agreed on the largest exchange of prisoners of war since the beginning of the special military operation, which would include at least 1,000 people from each side. In addition, the Russian side suggested that Ukraine declare a two- or three-day truce in certain sectors of the front to collect the bodies of the dead.