Representatives of Ukraine and Russia finally met in Istanbul

Delegations Russia i Ukraine met on Friday in Istanbul to negotiate a truce, the first face-to-face talks between the two warring parties since the start of the war, reports CNN.

Although the presidents of both countries, Vkadimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, are staying away, the world media recognizes the importance of the negotiators being together in the same room at all.

The Ukrainian team is led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while the Russian side is led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is chairing the meeting, wished the Ukrainian and Russian delegations "good luck".

Speaking at the beginning of the meeting, Fidan stated that this meeting marks the first direct contact since March 2022.

"We must seize this opportunity to make progress on the road to peace. As war continues to claim lives, the immediate implementation of the ceasefire has become increasingly important. The next phase will be shaped collectively by the choices we make and the steps we take," Fidan said.