Russia-Ukraine War: Turkey's Prez Erdogan claims 'Putin could meet Zelenskyy in Istanbul'

In a major claim, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said that Russian President Vladimir Putin could meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul. Speaking to local media, Erdogan said that he has already had conversations with Zelenskyy and is scheduled to converse with Putin as well.

Turkey President ackwledged that re was an agreement at grassroots-level talks taking place and underlined need for top brass to talk. "Especially when it comes to Donbass and Crimea, re is a need to take steps on highest level. Expressing before leaders  need for talks, we have offered to be host. Mr Zelenskyy has a positive perspective on it, and so has Mr Putin," Erdogan said.  Turkish President added, "If in our Istanbul such a leaders summit can be organised and as a result of this, negative progress can be converted into a positive one, we will be more than pleased. 

Talks between Ukraine-Russia delegates underway in Turkey

Meanwhile, on Friday, talks between Russia and Ukraine have resumed via video link. Friday’s talks came three days after last meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Turkey. Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky said country's position on Crimea and Donbas remains 'unchanged' despite continuous negotiations with Ukraine. 

Russia annexed Crimean Peninsula in sourn Ukraine in 2014. Donbas is a predominantly Russian-speaking industrial region where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Amid talks, Russian offensive in Ukraine continues even on 36th day. In what could be first counter-attack by Ukraine on Russian soil, Goverr of Belgorod claimed that Kyiv had struck an oil depot in Russian border region. Regional goverr Vyacheslav Gladkov accused Ukraine of flying helicopter gunships into Russian territory on early Friday morning and striking an oil depot. Dramatic visuals emerged from site which showed oil depot up in flames, with smoke billowing from installation. 

Im: AP