Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia is open to resuming negotiations with Ukraine under Turkey's mediation to resolve the crisis.
Speaking to reporters in the capital Moscow, Peskov commented on Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's statement that Ankara would continue its efforts to facilitate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Peskov said, "We are grateful to the Turkish side on this matter. Currently, there are no short-term expectations for the resumption of the negotiation process, and we have not recorded any signs in that direction. However, the Russian side is open to this path."
Regarding a question about the possibility of a change in Ukraine's defense minister, Peskov responded, "It does not matter who will assume the defense ministry post. What matters is that there is a person in the Ukrainian leadership who takes responsibility and makes the necessary decisions to achieve a peaceful resolution and end the special military operation."
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on the same day, stated that Turkey could host a new round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia or a possible meeting between the two countries' leaders.
Russia has been conducting its military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Moscow demands that Kyiv abandon joining Western military alliances for the operation to end, while Ukraine describes this demand as interference in its internal affairs.
