Russia issues ultimatum unfit for diplomacy in Istanbul, Ukrainian FM says
Photo: Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia's ultimatum-like conditions for a ceasefire and peace cannot be taken seriously by Ukraine and are unsuitable for diplomacy, stated Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha during a briefing with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.
Sybiha stressed that the international community, and especially "several capitals," must clearly understand that Ukraine will not lose the war and Russia will not win.
He emphasized that Ukraine wants peace more than anyone, but Russia is blocking the peace process. Moscow has yet to respond to Ukraine's constructive ceasefire proposals, which were submitted ahead of the second round of talks in Istanbul.
"They threw a list of ultimatums unsuitable for diplomacy on the table in Istanbul. This once again proves the need to increase pressure on Russia and all those aiding its war," he added.
Negotiations in Istanbul
On June 2, Ukrainian and Russian delegations held negotiations in Istanbul.
In particular, Russia handed Ukraine its memorandum setting out its conditions for a ceasefire and peace.
As it later emerged, Moscow had demanded that Ukraine effectively surrender the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions.
