Ukraine's Defense Minister on Russia talks: After humanitarian issues, we to discuss leaders' meeting
Photo: Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's Defense Minister (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
After completing negotiations with Russia on humanitarian issues, Ukraine plans to move on to discussing a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov during a conversation with journalists.
"After completing discussions on humanitarian issues, Ukraine plans to move on to the topic of a meeting of the leaders for a substantial dialogue," the Minister stated.
Ceasefire issue
According to Umerov, from the start of the dialogue, Ukraine supported the idea of the US leader Donald Trump regarding a ceasefire. However, during the last two meetings of the delegations, no compromise was reached on this issue, since Russia was putting forward ultimatums.
Humanitarian issue
Regarding humanitarian exchanges, Ukraine, as the Defense Minister emphasized, has always demonstrated consistency: the exchange program has been operating for the third year already. At the same time, Russia is likely using this topic as an argument to avoid increased sanctions pressure.
Continuation of negotiations with Russia
Umerov added that additional clarifications about the course of the negotiations and the format of their continuation will be provided soon.
"Ukraine has always remained consistent in its pursuit of peace. We supported the US initiative for a complete ceasefire from the very beginning and proved this through many rounds of negotiations. But any dialogue is possible only without ultimatums and with respect for the sovereignty of our state," the Minister noted.
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia
In 2025, Ukraine and Russia resumed direct negotiations. As of today, both countries have already held two rounds of dialogue.
The latest negotiations took place on June 2. At that time, the delegations met in Istanbul with the mediation of the Turkish authorities. As a result, the parties agreed on prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers.
In particular, during the last meeting, the Russian side handed over to Ukraine a so-called memorandum. The document contains the enemy's vision of a peaceful settlement and the conditions for a ceasefire. In addition, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that even the Russians themselves admitted during the meeting in Istanbul they had presented Ukraine with an ultimatum.
As the Russian Presidential Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated yesterday, June 26, the date of the third round of negotiations with Ukraine will be determined after the completion of the prisoner exchanges.
