Russian and Ukraine negotiators are getting closer in their discussions, the head of the Russian delegation said on March 18.

Vladimir Medinsky described the talks as “halfway” to reaching a deal, according to state media outlets.

“The topic of neutral status and non-accession of Ukraine to NATO is one of the key issues of the negotiations. This is the issue on which the parties have brought their positions as close as possible,” Medinsky said. “Then details begin relating to what security guarantees Ukraine receives in addition to those already existing in case of its refusal to join the NATO bloc.”