Discussions about Ukraine should start from what was achieved in Istanbul — Lukashenko – World

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. The agreements reached in Istanbul could become a basis for starting new peace talks on Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview for the News of the Week program on Rossiya-1 television, adding that the situation at the front the place has already changed, which should be taken into account.

“If coming to the negotiation table a question arises: <…> what should we start with? He (Russian President Vladimir Putin) rightly suggested, from the ground up, to pick up where we left off in Istanbul. <…> Indeed, the situation on the ground has changed, but we can start from it, start discussions,” he said.

“If the situation develops near Kursk, there will be an escalation, which will result in the elimination of Ukraine,” the president added.

Putin earlier said that agreements with Kiev should be based on the draft of the 2022 Istanbul accords (which included provisions on neutrality and security guarantees) and take into account existing territorial realities.