According to the spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry, a Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Istanbul for second round of talks with Russian officials.
Heorhii Tykhyi, Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesperson, disclosed that the delegation, led by Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, is ready for talks expected in the early afternoon.
Much to Ukraine’s displeasure, Moscow has again dispatched a negotiating team led by Vladimir Medinsky, an ideologue, aide to Vladimir Putin and former Culture Minister.
The two sides are set to hold their second round of direct peace talks since 2022, but are still far apart on how to end the war amid an increase in fighting.
The first round of the talks more than a week ago yielded the biggest prisoner exchange of the war – but no sense of any consensus on how to halt the fighting.
After days of uncertainty over whether Ukraine would even attend, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Umerov would meet Russian officials.
According to US Envoy, Keith Kellogg, the two sides will in Turkey present their respective documents outlining their ideas for peace terms, though it is clear that after three years of Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart.
Russia’s lead negotiator, presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, was quoted by a Russian news agency as saying the Russian side had received a memorandum from Ukraine on a settlement.
Zelenskyy had complained for days that Russia had failed to provide a memorandum with its proposals.
Negotiations this time will be held at the Çırağan palace, another grand Ottoman palace on the shores of the Bosphorus, now in use as a five-star hotel.
The opulent location seems unlikely to help the expected outcome of today’s talks. Zelenskyy has accused Russia of “doing everything it can to ensure the next possible meeting is fruitless.”
Ukraine has demanded Russia supply a memo prior to the meeting, outlining Moscow’s vision for an end to the war.
Umerov posted on X last week to say that the Ukrainian side had drafted their version of this memo and handed it over to the Russian delegation. The Russian side, however, “finally informed us they had finished drafting their memorandum.” “However, they continue to delay the delivery of the document,” he said.
In a social media post yesterday, Zelenskyy outlined Ukraine’s position ahead of today’s talks. “First, a full and unconditional ceasefire. Second, the release of prisoners. Third, the return of abducted children,” he said.
He reiterated a call for a discussion of a direct meeting between himself and Vladimir Putin. “The key issues can only be resolved by the leaders,” he said. The Kremlin has said such a meeting is only possible after the negotiations come to wider “agreements.”
Zelenskyy told reporters last week that he is prepared for a meeting with US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin while urging further sanctions on Russia for Moscow’s reluctance to engage in talks.
Ukraine Delegation Meets European Officials Ahead Of Russia Talks
Ukrainian officials in Istanbul met with representatives from Germany, Italy and the UK ahead of talks later today with Russian delegates.
Kyiv’s foreign ministry spokesperson said, “The sides coordinated positions ahead of today’s meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations.”
He added that members of the Ukrainian delegation reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to peace efforts.
The talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, scheduled to start around 13:00 local time, will be chaired by Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan.
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