Plane carrying Russian negotiators lands in Turkey

A plane carrying members of a Russian delegation has landed in Istanbul ahead of talks with Ukrainian negotiators aimed at ending the conflict. The face-to-face talks between the two sides are scheduled to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ukrainian President has said that Ukraine could declare neutrality, potentially accept a compromise on contested areas in the country’s east, and offer security guarantees to Russia to secure peace “without delay.”

He said only a face-to-face meeting with Russia’s leader could end the fighting. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that the two presidents could meet, but only after the key elements of a potential deal are negotiated. NATO member Turkey has close relations with both Ukraine and Russia.