The President of Ukraine has raised doubts about Russia’s genuine interest in advancing peace discussions, despite Moscow’s announcement of sending a delegation to Istanbul for talks on Monday.
Russia has yet to provide its negotiating proposals—something Kyiv has demanded. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow’s ceasefire conditions would be addressed during the discussions in Turkey.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns that Russia is “doing everything it can to ensure the next possible meeting is fruitless.” For effective talks, he insisted on the necessity of a clear agenda and adequate preparation. Ukraine has already submitted its proposals, emphasizing its commitment to an unconditional ceasefire.
Previous discussions in Istanbul, held two weeks back, failed to yield significant results but did facilitate a prisoner exchange.
As the upcoming talks draw near, both nations reported explosions over the weekend, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure in the Kherson and Sumy regions.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reiterated Kyiv’s position, calling for an unconditional ceasefire as a precondition for more extensive negotiations. Despite President Zelensky and President Putin not participating in the Monday talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed hope for a high-level summit in the future.
Discussions on a ceasefire have proven challenging, with lingering accusations of delaying tactics aimed at territorial gains.
Source: www.bbc.com
