Russian authorities have declared readiness to participate in a new round of direct negotiations with Ukraine, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, aiming to secure a lasting peace agreement. However, Ukrainian officials accuse Moscow of intentionally delaying the peace process as the talks approach.
At a joint press conference in Kyiv alongside Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed Kyiv's commitment to continue discussions in Turkey. Nonetheless, Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine still awaits a Russian memorandum proposing a framework for a ceasefire, which Kyiv expects before the upcoming meeting.
“We are still waiting for the Russian side to deliver the memorandum they promised. It was also pledged to the American side,” Sybiha reported, underscoring the importance of this document in advancing the peace talks.
The initial face-to-face meeting between the two nations in Istanbul since March 2022 occurred on May 16 but did not result in any ceasefire agreement. Despite Kyiv’s appeals and backing from Western countries, Moscow maintained that certain prerequisites must be met before discussing a ceasefire.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that genuine supporters of peace should back the continuation of direct negotiations in Istanbul. Following a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump on May 19, Putin reiterated Moscow’s willingness to engage with Kyiv on drafting a memorandum that could underpin a possible peace deal.
Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russia’s negotiation team, announced via Telegram that he has reached out to Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to propose timing and venue details for the next session, expressing readiness to commence comprehensive discussions on all aspects of the proposed ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that both sides have agreed to exchange their proposals on the modalities of settlement and ceasefire at the forthcoming negotiations.
