Second round of Istanbul talks with Russia: What Ukraine brings to table, according to Reuters
Photo: Ukrainian delegation at negotiations in Istanbul (Getty Images)
Tomorrow in Istanbul, the second round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will take place. During the meeting, the Ukrainian side will present a roadmap for achieving a lasting peace settlement, Reuters reports.
According to a copy of the document reviewed by the media outlet, the proposed roadmap will follow this sequence:
- a complete ceasefire for at least 30 days;
- the return of all prisoners held by each side;
- the return of Ukrainian children who were taken to territory controlled by Russia;
- followed by a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
Under this plan, Moscow and Kyiv, with the participation of the US and Europe, will work on agreeing to the terms under which the parties could reach a full end to the war.
Reuters notes that the framework conditions of the peace deal outlined in the copy of the document largely align with the terms previously put forward by the Ukrainian side.
Among them are the absence of restrictions on Ukraine's military capabilities after a peace deal is signed, no international recognition of Russian sovereignty over the occupied territories, and reparations for Ukraine.
The document also states that the current front line will serve as the starting point for negotiations on the territory. At the same time, the conditions differ significantly from the demands Russia has made in recent weeks.
Negotiations in Istanbul
Last month on May 16, the first direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in three years took place regarding ending the war.
Following the first meeting, the sides agreed to exchange prisoners in a 1,000-for-1,000 format (which has already been carried out) and to present their visions of a possible ceasefire at the next meeting.
In addition, after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Putin, the Kremlin leader came out to journalists and stated that Russia is ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum, which would include a ceasefire.
This week, Russia proposed holding a new round of negotiations on Monday, June 2. Kyiv, on its part, has already provided Moscow with its document for ending the war, but Russia has not provided its version to anyone. Moscow only stated that the memorandum would be shown directly at the meeting.
Yesterday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that neither Ukraine, nor Türkiye, nor the United States has seen the Russian document. Because of this, it remains unclear what the Russians plan to bring to the talks in Istanbul.
Read more about what the Istanbul negotiations will decide in our material on the topic.
