Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on Wednesday that Russia has proposed a new round of direct peace talks with Ukraine to be held in Istanbul on June 2. This follows a previous meeting in Istanbul on May 16, which marked the first direct contact between the two sides since March 2022 but did not result in a ceasefire.
The Kremlin has emphasized that specific conditions must be met before agreeing to a truce. Ukraine has not yet issued a response to the latest proposal.
Lavrov expressed hope that all parties genuinely interested in advancing peace would support the upcoming negotiations. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, after a call with US President Donald Trump on May 19, indicated Moscow's willingness to work towards a memorandum outlining a future peace agreement.
Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's negotiating team, revealed he had reached out to Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to suggest the June 2 talks, signaling Russia's readiness for substantive discussions regarding a ceasefire package.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that both Russia and Ukraine agreed to prepare and exchange their respective ceasefire proposals at the next meeting.
Trump’s Response and Views on the Conflict
On Wednesday, former US President Donald Trump commented on the ongoing war and the peace negotiations. He suggested that Putin might be deliberately delaying ceasefire discussions and expressed disappointment over continued Russian bombings amidst talks.
When questioned about Putin’s willingness to end the conflict, Trump remained uncertain but warned that the US might adjust its response if Russia is not sincere. He also explained his reluctance to impose new sanctions on Russia, citing ongoing efforts to broker a peace deal and emphasizing the importance of timing in leveraging pressure.
Trump indicated he would be willing to meet with both Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin to facilitate ending the war if necessary. He acknowledged concern over the current situation and noted ongoing diplomatic efforts directed at Russia.
The international community continues to monitor developments closely ahead of the proposed Istanbul talks, hoping for progress in resolving the conflict.
