Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine continue and should be held behind closed doors, said Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president.
"Negotiations continue and must proceed behind closed doors," Peskov told reporters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier offered Ukraine to resume direct talks without preconditions in Istanbul on May 15. The head of state did not rule out that during the relevant negotiations the parties may agree on the ceasefire.
According to Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president, Russia is determined to seriously seek the ways to achieve a long-term peaceful settlement. According to him, the goals of the negotiations with Ukraine are to eliminate the right causes of the conflict and ensure Russia's interests.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were expected on Thursday. The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul, but there were no contacts between representatives of the two countries on Thursday.
