Istanbul talks end without results/ EU prepares new sanctions against Russia

Pars Today – While direct talks between Russia and Ukraine were held in Turkey for the first time in three years and lasted less than two hours, European officials on Friday announced a new package of sanctions against Moscow.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission stated that the EU is preparing a new round of sanctions aimed at pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin into agreeing to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. She said the absence of the Russian president from the Istanbul talks underlines the need for stronger economic pressure on Moscow. According to a Ukrainian source, the gap between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations remains wide./ IRNA

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