Ukraine and Russia negotiate on Monday in Istanbul about ceasefire

Kiev approved a Russian proposal for another direct discussion on the end of the Ukraine War. “On Monday, our delegation is headed by (Defense Minister) Rustem Umjerow,” wrote Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj on the platform X. The first round should take place two weeks ago in Istanbul in Turkish.

Selenskyj wrote the Ukrainian position for the meeting in Istanbul: a complete and unconditional weapon calls, the release of prisoners and the return of kidnapped children. In addition, the meeting should be prepared at the highest level to create a reliable and permanent peace and ensure security.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrow had advertised the new discussion initiative on Wednesday. The Russian delegation is ready to present a memorandum to the Ukrainian team in Türkiye, he said. The paper states the Russian position at “all aspects of reliable overcoming the basic causes of the crisis”.

The Ukraine initially insisted on getting the memorandum immediately. Andrij Sybiha, Foreign Minister of the country attacked by Russia more than three years ago, wrote at X, it was expected that the Russian side does not fail the next meeting and “immediately” presented its suggestions as before.

Overall, Moscow and Kyiv differ in their approach to the negotiations. Ukraine first wants to negotiate a ceasefire, in the course of which the further path to the final peace can be discussed.

In March, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin rejected a unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by US President Donald Trump on the grounds that Ukraine could rebuild itself in time and to sort them up again. He wants to continue fighting until Ukraine agrees to the conditions for a final peace.

In the UN Security Council, however, Russia signaled willingness to a possible ceasefire on Friday-under conditions. “For the duration of the ceasefire, it is at least necessary that the western countries stop the arms deliveries to the Kiev regime and the Ukraine ends their mobilization,” said Russia’s UN ambassador Wassili. His country was ready to talk about the conditions for peace during the negotiations on Monday in Istanbul.

The Russian peace conditions are strongly reminiscent of a surrender of Ukraine. Moscow raises demands on large parts of Ukraine – including areas, which it has not yet been able to conquer it. In addition, the Kremlin wants to secure the Russian -speaking minority in the neighboring country in Kiev, which is therefore not allowed to join NATO or keep a powerful army.

The Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umjerow announced that he had already sent the Russian chief negotiator a document with the Ukrainian position. “We are not against further meetings with the Russians and are waiting for their” memorandum “so that the meeting does not run into nothing and really gets us closer to the end of the war,” he said at X. Umjerow accused Moscow further delays and repeated the Ukrainian willingness to complete and unconditional weapon rest.

The Kremlin rejected these claims as “not constructive”. Russia wanted to avoid the suggestions before the negotiations. The Moscow Boulevardzeitung “Moskowski Komsomolez” even sensed a “Kiev trap for Russia in the new negotiations”. The demand for the pre-handover of the Russian conditions aims to discredit Moscow with its publication. The conditions were presented as unacceptable, Russia as a war driver, the columnist wrote.

This is exactly what is probably the reason for confidentiality, the Russian publicist Abbas Galljamow, which fled into exile. The Russian leadership is aware that their demands in front of the world public, “said the least, do not look perfect”. Therefore, it is better for the Kremlin not to discuss them publicly.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion with western help for more than three years. At the first Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul in mid-May, a great exchange of prisoners remained the only result.

Moscow started the strongest drone attacks since the beginning of the war. There are no signs of moving maximum demands on the Russian side. According to the Ukrainian President Selenskyj, Russia has brought together around 50,000 soldiers for a possible advance into the Sumy region in the northeast of Ukraine.