Turkey expects Ukraine to confirm readiness to hold 3rd round of talks with Russia - FM

ISTANBUL. July 8 (Interfax) - Moscow has already voiced its readiness for a new round of negotiations with Kiev in Istanbul, and Turkey is waiting for Ukraine's response now, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.

"The Russians have expressed readiness for a third round of talks. We are now awaiting a response from the Ukrainian side and are maintaining contact with them," Anadolu news agency quoted Fidan as saying.

Ankara views the previous rounds of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul as useful and productive, Fidan said.

Discussions are also ongoing as to whether there is a need for an in-person meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to agree on a ceasefire or whether it could be accomplished through talks between the negotiating teams, he said.

Fidan called on the parties to continue dialogue and come up with "more creative solutions" regarding compromises on Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine held the first round of direct talks in Istanbul on May 16 and the second round on June 2.