Moscow: Russia expressed gratitude to Trkiye for providing a venue for peace talks with Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova highlighted the importance of any negotiation framework that discusses political resolutions or humanitarian issues leading to concrete outcomes during a news briefing in Moscow.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zakharova emphasized the value Russia places on initiatives from countries like Trkiye that offer platforms for negotiation or develop models for the process. Despite the ongoing war now in its fourth year, Trkiye remains one of the few countries that has facilitated such negotiations. Zakharova noted that Moscow continues to engage in contacts with Ukraine for humanitarian reasons and the pursuit of peace, despite Ukraine's negative stance.

Zakharova criticized the Kyiv regime for sabotaging the Istanbul rounds of talks and stalling Russia's proposals. She expressed appreciation for Trkiye's hospitality and willingness to host the negotiations, asserting that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that rejected this format. Since July, Ukraine has paused negotiations and failed to respond to Russia's proposals, including the creation of three working groups focused on political, military, and humanitarian issues.