Russia and Ukraine will raise the status of representatives at the talks in Istanbul — Kremlin

Russia and Ukraine is likely to continue direct negotiations in Istanbul, at which the status of representatives of the parties may be increased.

This was stated by Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov following a telephone conversation between US and Russian presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. His comment is published on Tuesday, August 19 by the Kremlin press service.

It is stated that at the initiative of Washington, a telephone conversation took place between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

"Our president warmly thanked his American counterpart for the hospitality and good organization of the summit in Alaska and for the progress made during the meeting towards a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," the aide said.

He noted that Trump, in turn, informed about the negotiations that had ended at the White House with Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of a number of European countries.

It is alleged that during a further telephone conversation, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump expressed support for the continuation of direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine.

"In this regard, in particular, the idea was discussed that it would be necessary to study the possibility of raising the level of representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian sides, that is, those representatives who participate in the aforementioned direct negotiations," Ushakov said.

He also stressed that the Russian and American leaders agreed to continue to closely contact each other on the Ukrainian and other topical issues of the international and bilateral agenda.

"The Russian President reiterated the importance of Donald Trump's personal efforts in finding solutions leading to a long-term settlement on the Ukraine," the Kremlin spokesman concluded.

Earlier, EADaily reported that the telephone conversation between the presidents of Russia and the United States lasted about 40 minutes. Trump coordinated this call with European leaders.