Putin assesses third round of Moscow-Kiev talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin positively assessed the results of the Russian-Ukrainian direct talks in Istanbul.

On July 23, Istanbul hosted the third round of direct Russian-Ukrainian talks.

"Overall, I assess them positively. How can one not view the return of hundreds of people to their homeland positively?" Vladimir Putin said.

He added that the fact that Moscow handed thousands of bodies of Ukrainian soldiers over to Kiev and received dozens of bodies of Russian troops in return is a big positive.

"As for some frustrations, whoever feels frustrated, all frustrations are prompted by excessive expectations. This is a well-known general rule. But in order to approach a peaceful solution, it's necessary to conduct substantive negotiations, and this should be done not in public," Vladimir Putin said.

The Russian president noted that the negotiating process should be held in a calm and quiet atmosphere, Moscow proposed setting up three groups.

"We agreed that we can conduct such negotiations in camera and look for compromises without any political fuss and in a calm atmosphere...Therefore, we expect this process to be launched," Vladimir Putin said.