Russian, Ukrainian delegations in talks in Istanbul

MOSCOW/ISTANBUL. March 29 (Interfax) - Russian and Ukrainian delegations are in talks in Istanbul, a source close to the negotiating process told Interfax on Tuesday.

Russian delegation head, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and head of the parliamentary faction of Ukraine's ruling Servant of the People party, David Arahamia, had a one-on-one meeting before the talks continued in the expanded format, the source said.

"The negotiations between delegation heads, which lasted for about an hour, raised the question of terms of the possible neutral status of Ukraine," he said.

The Russian and Ukrainian delegations came to the Dolmabahce Palace on Tuesday morning and were greeted by Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan. The Russia Today television channel aired the beginning of the meeting.

A video aired by the Rossiya 24 television channel (VGTRK) showed businessman Roman Abramovich arriving for talks together with the Russian delegation.

According to videos shown by Russian media outlets, members of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations did not shake hands.

An agreement on the talks in Istanbul was reached during a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Erdogan.