Daren and Yesim Butler

ISTANBUL, (Reuters) –The West sanctioned Roman Abramovich over Moscow’s invasion in Ukraine on Tuesday, and he surprised everyone in Istanbul at first direct peace negotiations in several weeks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators.

Both teams were seated facing one another at the long table of the Ottoman Palace grounds presidential office. According to a Turkish presidential video, the Russian oligarch took place in the first row with others wearing a suit of blue.

Russia, which promised to cut down its military operations near Kyiv, the country’s northern border, was the first sign that there has been any progress toward ending the war. Ukraine, however, proposed a neutral status.

Since the start of war, Abramovich has seen signals that he is trying to promote negotiations. He has traveled to Ukraine, Russia and Turkey in March. Two superyachts of Abramovich’s are currently docked in Turkish resorts.

At first, his presence baffled at most one Ukrainian diplomat. However, Moscow stated that he wasn’t actually negotiating and was only there to facilitate the Ukrainian side.

A spokesperson for Abramovich declined to comment. Abramovich didn’t show signs of poisoning as suspected early in this month.

Bellingcat and the Wall Street Journal reported that Abramovich and Ukrainian negotiators were suffering symptoms from suspected poisoning. They said this after meeting in Kyiv.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, dismissed poisoning reports and called them part of an “information warfare”.

NATO member Turkey has a maritime border in the Black Sea with Russia and Ukraine, and is able to maintain good relations with them both. It has also offered mediation. Ankara, while calling Moscow’s invasion unacceptable, has also expressed opposition to Western sanctions.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdan told delegations that the time was now for tangible results. He also stated that the progress made would allow for the meeting between the two countries’ leaders.

“It’s up to each side to prevent this tragedy.” “All parties should work together to achieve a peaceful ceasefire as quickly as possible,” he stated.

Kyiv released footage showing Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine’s Defence Minister, being warmly welcomed by his Turkish counterpart before the Dolmabahce palace grounds talks.

Reznikov joked with Hulusi Akar, Turkish Defence Minister, about how Ukraine had abandoned COVID-19 when Russia invaded.

On February 24, Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Putin described it as a “special military operations” in order to demilitarize Ukraine. Both the West and Ukraine say Putin declared an unprovoked war on aggression.

SUPERYACHTS TURKEY

Vadym Prystaiko, the Ukrainian ambassador in Britain, said to BBC that he had no clue what Abramovich was claiming. He’s not part of our negotiation team.”

Peskov said that Abramovich, although not an official Russian participant at the talks was present to enable “certain contacts” between the sides.

Although he claimed to have played an initial role in negotiations, the Kremlin said that negotiating teams were responsible for the outcome. Television footage showed him sitting beside Erdogan’s spokeswoman and setting his headphones so he could listen to Erdogan’s speech.

In an effort to pressure Putin from Ukraine, the West has placed heavy sanctions against Abramovich, other Russian billionaires and Russian officials.

Abramovich wanted to sell Chelsea FC, his English soccer team. However, the British government took him out of their hands when they blacklisted his name.

His superyachts are valued at $1.2 million each. They have been docked at Bodrum in Turkey and Marmaris in the southwest Turkey, since last week. According to sources, he was looking for investment opportunities in Turkey with the help of other Russians.

Turkey is a potential safe haven for Russian investments. This poses risks to Turkey’s banks, government and business. The United States could also press Moscow with “secondary” sanctions.