Nations nonetheless far aside however agree prisoner swap
A second spherical of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have ended and not using a main breakthrough, and solely an settlement between the warring sides to swap extra prisoners of warfare.
The Ukrainian negotiators mentioned Russia once more rejected an “unconditional ceasefire” – a key demand by Kyiv and its allies in Europe and the US.
The Russian group mentioned it had proposed a two-to-three day truce “in sure areas” of the huge entrance line, however gave no additional particulars.
At Monday’s talks, which have been held within the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul and lasted simply over an hour, the 2 sides did conform to alternate all sick and heavy wounded prisoners of warfare, as effectively these aged underneath 25.
Expectations have been low even earlier than the talks began, with either side remaining deeply divided on learn how to finish the warfare that has been raging since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Moscow at the moment controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, together with the southern Crimea peninsula which it annexed in 2014.
Talking at a briefing after the assembly, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv’s negotiating group, mentioned Ukraine was insisting on a “full and and unconditional ceasefire” for no less than 30 days to “finish the killings now”.
He mentioned Ukraine had handed over its truce proposals to Russia “just a few days in the past” – however Moscow did not do the identical, solely presenting its plan on the Istanbul talks.
Ukrainian Deputy International Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia then mentioned that Russia rejected the unconditional ceasefire.
Ukraine’s negotiators mentioned they have been anticipating Russia’s response to Ukrainian proposals by the top of June, stressing on the necessity to put together for direct talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Talking shortly afterwards at a separate information briefing, Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky confirmed that each one sick and heavy wounded prisoners of warfare and people youthful than 25 could be exchanged. No timeframe was given as to when this might occur.
Medinsky additionally mentioned that subsequent week Russia would hand over to Kyiv the our bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian troopers.
Within the first spherical of direct peace talks, held on 16 Might, Ukraine and Russia did not bridge their variations on learn how to finish the warfare, agreeing solely to swap 1,000 prisoners of warfare every.
President Zelensky and his European allies have repeatedly accused Russia of intentionally delaying any significant negotiations to grab extra Ukrainian territory.
US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a fast settlement, has to date delayed hitting Russia with powerful sanctions.
In a uncommon rebuke final month, Trump referred to as Putin “completely loopy” following Russia’s largest drone and missile assaults on Ukraine. In response, the Kremlin mentioned Trump was displaying indicators of “emotional overload”.