Security Guarantee Headlines Give Most Prominent Sign Of Potential Deal

Ukraine and Russia seem to have made some significant progress towards a peace deal as part of the talks taking place today in Turkey. A flurry of comments from the Ukrainian negotiating team hit the wires a short time ago (see 1240, 1243BST bullets).

• The announcement from Ukrainian presidential advisor Podolyak that enought progress has been made to make a meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin warranted could prove a major step towards a deal being reached - without this meeting taking place it would have been near impossible for a ceasefire agreement.
• Ukrainian side agreeing to take security guarantees outside of Crimea and the Donbas, and discuss their situations with Russia shows another crucial potential concession to allow Moscow to halt its invasion. Comes after Defence Min Sergei Shoigu stated earlier today that the 'first phase' of the 'special operation' in 'liberating the Donbas' was complete.
• Neutral status in terms of NATO and not hosting military bases another crucial point for Moscow, although it seems that Ukraine may be allowed to pursue its EU membership ambitions.
• Should be noted that these headlines have come out of Ukrainian side, which is awaiting Russia's response. There remains the discinct possibility that Moscow rejects the Ukrainian proposals outright, or drags out talks while continuing bombardment of Ukrainian cities.