Translated with AI
At the same time, Ukraine wants to receive from the Russian Federation in advance a draft "memorandum" on the path to a ceasefire in order to familiarize itself with it before the start of the next round of negotiations.
Ukraine is interested in a new round of negotiations with the delegation of the Russian Federation, which could take place in Istanbul on June 2, in order to end the war this year.
As reported by a UNIAN correspondent, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said this at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Kyiv.
As Sibiga said, Ukraine is interested in continuing meetings with Russians in Turkey.
"Because we want to end this war this year, and we are interested in establishing a ceasefire – either for 30 days, or for 50 days, or for 100 days – Ukraine (is ready) to openly discuss this directly with Russia. We confirmed this during the last meeting of our delegation with the Russian side (on May 16 in Istanbul – UNIAN)," noted Sybiga.
As the Ukrainian minister recalled, "following the meeting in Istanbul, Ukraine has already conveyed to the Russian side its vision of further steps, its vision of our further peace efforts, in particular, regarding the parameters of a future ceasefire."
"We are also waiting for a memorandum from the Russian side, as was announced. We are waiting for it in advance. This was also promised to the American side. Therefore, in order for the next meeting, which is planned, to be substantive and objective, it is important to receive the document in advance, and so that the delegation that will leave has the authority to discuss the relevant positions," Sibiga emphasized.
In turn, Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan said that he believes in the possibility of progress in the negotiations.
"On the issue of resuming negotiations in Istanbul, we believe that as long as the negotiating table is active, progress is always possible," Fidan emphasized.
In particular, he considers the agreement of the parties to declare their positions on the ceasefire to be progress.
What should Russia do to open the way to broader negotiations?
As Sibiga noted, the Russian Federation must first agree to an unconditional ceasefire. Now the "ball" is in Russia's court to take the necessary steps and move on to broader negotiations to bring a fair, comprehensive, sustainable peace closer. Sibiga emphasized:
"Ukraine is committed to peace efforts. We have accepted the US proposal for a ceasefire, for a truce. Now the ball is in Russia's court. Russia must accept an unconditional truce, which will open the way to further broad negotiations regarding our peace efforts, to bring closer a just, comprehensive, sustainable peace for Ukraine."
In this regard, as the Ukrainian minister noted, it is necessary to put pressure on Russia in order to “hear from them a clear ‘yes’ to a ceasefire.”
The head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also added that on May 16, during a meeting of the delegations of Ukraine and the Russian Federation in Istanbul, three agreements were reached – an exchange of prisoners of war, an exchange of visions regarding the parameters of a ceasefire, and the teams to begin work on the format, place and time frame of a future meeting at the presidential level – with the participation of Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.
"And of course, we would welcome it if this meeting took place in a more expanded format, in particular, with the participation of President Trump," said Sybiga.
Peace negotiations – this is what you need to know
As UNIAN reported, Ukraine handed over a ceasefire document to Russia on May 28, but the Russians have not yet provided anything in return.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry demands that the Russians immediately hand over their document and not slow down the peace process. The Russian side is delaying the handover of the draft "memorandum" due to the possible unrealistic ultimatums contained in it.
