NEW — U.S. Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott: "The meeting in Istanbul is a critical opportunity for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine."

NEW — U.S. Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott: "The meeting in Istanbul is a critical opportunity for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine."

"[POTUS] has spoken about this as well. He has made it clear that the meeting in Istanbul is a critical opportunity for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. That has been clear.

The President has also made it clear that he wants those negotiations to happen, and he wants first a ceasefire and then a lasting peace. In terms of specifics, there is nothing more to say. The President also spoke about this in his speech just recently. I would refer you to his comments.

But this is a critical opportunity to have direct negotiations to try to achieve a ceasefire and then a long and lasting peace."