During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his belief that the agreements developed during the Istanbul negotiations in 2022 could serve as a foundation for a resolution to the Ukrainian conflict. Putin emphasized that while these agreements were not officially signed, they were initialed by the Ukrainian delegation and were believed to be beneficial for Ukraine.
The Istanbul Agreement, which was drafted and agreed upon by both sides, 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 and ongoing discussions are being made to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The mention of these agreements and their potential role in current negotiations highlights the importance of diplomatic efforts and dialogue in resolving complex geopolitical issues.
