Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister reveals Russia's shocking demands at Istanbul talks
Photo: First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya (Getty Images)
During negotiations with the Russian delegation in Istanbul, shocking words were spoken about the war, which was described as merely an internal conflict between "Russians." Ukrainian representatives heard from their opponents a direct denial of the Ukrainian nation, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya.
Ukrainian high-ranking official explained that during talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, a shocking statement came from the Russian side. The Head of the Russian delegation allegedly called the war an "internal conflict," saying that it is essentially "when Russians kill Russians with certain nuances."
"At some point, the Head of the Russian delegation says... He is sitting in front of the Ukrainian authorized delegation, which represents the state and consists of military personnel. And the Head of the Russian delegation says: 'The war is, essentially, when Russians kill Russians. With certain nuances.' End of quote," the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine said.
As Kyslytsya noted, such words are perceived as a denial of Ukraine's existence as an independent nation. The representatives of the Russian delegation essentially declared that Ukrainians do not exist separately but are only "Russians."
"Essentially, that side denies your existence as a nation. They say to your face that you are not Ukrainian, you are Russian, and we are simply killing you - Russians killing Russians - and 'it hurts us that we Russians are killing Russians,'" Kyslytsya added.
Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Istanbul
On May 15, a meeting was planned in Türkiye between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. However, unlike Zelenskyy, Putin did not come.
Despite this, negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations still took place but at lower levels of representation. On May 16, in Istanbul, a meeting was held that became the first direct dialogue between the sides in the last three years.
For more details about the negotiations, read our report on the topic.
New round of negotiations
Recently Zelenskyy announced Ukraine is already discussing with partners the possibility of holding a new round of negotiations.
Ukrainian President said that currently three locations are being considered for the meeting: Istanbul, the Vatican, or Switzerland.
Previously, Zelenskyy's office shared which European countries are the most active in the peace process.
