Putin Suggests Istanbul Agreements Could Still Guide Ukrainian Resolution Today

During the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the agreements developed during the Istanbul negotiations in 2022 could still serve as the foundation for a resolution to the Ukrainian conflict today. Putin emphasized that while the agreements were not officially signed, they were initialed by the Ukrainian delegation and were believed to be beneficial for Ukraine. He suggested that the agreements reached in Istanbul could still be considered and used as the basis for ongoing negotiations.

The draft of the Istanbul Agreement, which Ukraine had agreed to, included clauses requiring Ukraine to maintain neutrality and refrain from hosting any foreign military bases on its territory. This agreement was released in full earlier this year, providing transparency to the public about the terms that were discussed during the negotiations.

Putin’s comments come at a time when tensions remain high in the region, with ongoing discussions and efforts being made to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The mention of the Istanbul agreements and their potential role in current negotiations highlights the importance of diplomatic efforts and dialogue in resolving complex geopolitical issues.