Negotiations between Ukraine, Russia suspended - Podolyak

KYIV. May 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The negotiating process between a Ukrainian and a Russian delegation has been suspended, Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office chief, said on Tuesday.

"The negotiating process depends on the developments in Ukraine. They have changed considerably," Podolyak said during a TV marathon.

"It's been suspended for now. It's been suspended because there have been no significant changes or progress following the Istanbul communique," he said.

The Russian directives with regard to Ukraine have remained unchanged, he said.

"But I'd stress that any war would end at the negotiating table anyway," he said.

The last in-person meeting between a Ukrainian and a Russian delegation took place in Istanbul on March 29, after which the parties have held talks via videoconference.