Russia is prepared to hold negotiations with the Ukrainian side in Istanbul at any moment, but Kyiv has not responded to previous initiatives.

Axar.az informs, citing TASS, this was stated by Russia's charge d'affaires ad interim in Turkiye Alexey Ivanov.

"The Russian side has repeatedly emphasized that we are ready to continue direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side, with the Ukrainian delegation. Our Turkish partners have also consistently stressed that the Istanbul platform remains available to us, these doors remain open," he said.

"If Kyiv shows political will, we are ready for such negotiations at any moment," the diplomat added.

Ivanov noted that the Russian side had conveyed a number of proposals during previous rounds of negotiations. "A whole range of initiatives was put forward, including establishing three online working groups. Unfortunately, we have not yet received a positive response to these initiatives from the Ukrainian side," he added.