Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul are important for the preparation of the possible meeting of the leaders, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
"This meeting will decide on the further meeting of the leaders of the countries," he said in his speech at the opening speech of Moscow and Kiev delegations.
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.
