'What is there to discuss?': Kyiv’s response to Moscow’s call for new talks
Photo: Ukraine and Russia held talks in Istanbul (Getty Images)
The first two rounds of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia turned out to be unproductive. It remains unclear what could be discussed with the Russians at the third meeting, according to a source within the Ukrainian government.
"They deliberately made the first two meetings empty, so it’s unclear what exactly there is to discuss at the third one — who among the Ruriks was more of a Rurik, or what," the source told the outlet.
According to them, it is still unclear what the substance of such a meeting could be.
"As they say in Moscow, ‘the meetings must be substantive,’" they added.
Statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the Russian delegation is reportedly ready for the third round of negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul after June 22.
According to her, the exact date of the meeting "will be determined shortly."
Zakharova clarified that during the talks, Moscow wants to discuss the Ukrainian and Russian memoranda regarding a ceasefire and the end of the war. It is worth noting that the Russian memorandum is essentially an ultimatum with conditions impossible for Ukraine to accept.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, even the Russians themselves acknowledged during the Istanbul meeting that they presented Ukraine with an ultimatum.
