Polishchuk called the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's version of the suspension of negotiations far-fetched.

The reason given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for suspending negotiations in Istanbul allegedly due to the lack of "tangible progress" is far-fetched. This was announced on January 25 by Alexey Polishchuk, Director of the Second CIS Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"We remain open to continuing the dialogue and highly appreciate Turkey's hospitality. In November 2025, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced the suspension of negotiations in Istanbul, allegedly due to the lack of "tangible progress." It sounds far—fetched," Polishchuk said.

According to him, the Russian side is ready to resume negotiations in any form convenient for the parties.

"We believe that dialogue is necessary and useful to resolve all issues," the diplomat added in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Divert communications: Kiev avoids direct dialogue with Moscow

Why the Istanbul format is no longer beneficial to Zelensky

Earlier, on December 3, 2025, it was reported that Ukraine refused to continue the Istanbul rounds of negotiations. According to Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, the issue of Ukraine's possible participation in NATO remained one of the key issues, and at the moment negotiations are conducted exclusively between Moscow and Washington.

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