In response to a question during an interview with the Indonesian newspaper “Kompas” about the steps Moscow has taken to resolve the conflict over Ukraine, Lavrov stated that in the spring, at the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin, direct negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian sides resumed.

He said: “Three rounds were held in Istanbul, and certain progress was made within them on humanitarian issues: prisoner and detainee exchanges, the return of bodies of the deceased, and so on. Additionally, each side presented its vision of the conditions for ending the conflict. The heads of delegations are in direct contact. We expect the negotiations to continue.”

He also emphasized that resolving the crisis in Ukraine by peaceful means remains a priority for Russia. The minister said: “I recall that after the start of the special military operation to save people in Donbas, Kyiv requested negotiations, and we immediately agreed. These took place from February to April 2022, first in Belarus, then in Turkey. Preliminary agreements to end the conflict peacefully were signed, but the Kyiv regime, based on advice from its Western sponsors, refused to sign a peace treaty, choosing to continue the war.”

Previously, Russia and Ukraine agreed after the first two rounds of negotiations held in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2 to exchange prisoners according to the “thousand for thousand” formula, as well as to return sick and young prisoners up to 25 years old according to the “all for all” formula – at least 1,000 people from each side.

Continuing the Istanbul agreements, Moscow also transferred to Kyiv in June 6,060 bodies of deceased Ukrainian military personnel, with the return of 78 bodies of deceased Russian Armed Forces fighters, and on July 17, another 1,000 bodies of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers were transferred, with 19 bodies of deceased Russian fighters received.

Following the third round held on July 23 in Istanbul, the two sides agreed to exchange not only military personnel but also civilians. Russia proposed to Ukraine the establishment of three online working groups to resolve political, military, and humanitarian issues. Additionally, Moscow offered Kyiv to transfer another 3,000 bodies of Ukrainian Armed Forces military personnel, as well as to return to short humanitarian pauses on the front line to collect the wounded and bodies of the deceased.

The last transfer of 1,000 bodies of Ukrainian Armed Forces military personnel took place on August 19. In return, Ukraine transferred 19 bodies to the Russian side.