Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will likely meet for face-to-face peace talks soon in Turkey, a Ukrainian official involved in the wartime negotiations said Saturday.
Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia told a local TV station that the two leaders could soon meet as draft peace-treaty documents reach an advanced stage, reported the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency.
The announcement came on the same day that Russian forces largely retreated from the area around Kyiv.
The withdrawal came after Russian troops were met with fierce opposition from Ukrainian forces determined to keep hold of the capital.
Putin and Zelensky have yet to speak in person, and their potential meeting could provide significant progress toward ending the war.
Tens of thousands of soldiers have also been killed, and in some places Ukrainian cities and villages have been decimated.
Newsweek contacted the foreign ministries of both Ukraine and Russia for additional comment, but did not hear back in time for publication. »
