US backing for Russia-Ukraine talks ‘extremely important’: Turkey

US support for the Russia-Ukraine peace talks is “extremely important,” Turkey’s top diplomat said Monday, as the two sides began a second round of direct negotiations in İstanbul.

“We find America’s belief in and support for these talks to be extremely important,” Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said as delegates gathered at the Ottoman-era Çırağan Palace, which is now a five-star luxury hotel.

“[US President Donald] Trump’s determination to establish peace has opened a new window of opportunity,” he said as the sides met to exchange views on how to end Europe’s worst conflict since World War II.

At their first meeting in mid-May, the delegations agreed on a large-scale prisoner exchange, which was quickly implemented, but did not manage to secure a pause in the more than three years of fighting.

“At today’s meeting, we will continue to evaluate the conditions and perspectives of the two countries regarding the ceasefire and aim to take the process of exchanging prisoners of war one step further with humanitarian considerations,” Fidan said.

“We also plan to address the necessary preparations for the leaders’ meeting” between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, he added.

“What really matters is to establish a sustainable peace that will contribute to resolving many global energy, food and transportation security issues,” he said.

“The eyes of the entire world are focused on the contacts and discussions you will hold here.”

© Agence France-Presse