Ukraine awaiting Russia peace proposal forward of Istanbul talks
Russia says it is going to ship a delegation to Istanbul on Monday for a second spherical of peace talks with Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned Moscow’s circumstances for a brief truce had been being developed and could be mentioned in Turkey.
Ukraine has mentioned it stays dedicated to dialogue however is not going to ship a delegation till it receives particulars of Russia’s ceasefire proposal.
The primary spherical of talks between low-level Russian and Ukrainian delegations came about earlier this month, leading to each side returning tons of of prisoners within the largest alternate for the reason that begin of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian International Minister Andrii Sybiha mentioned Ukraine had already despatched its personal “imaginative and prescient of future steps” to Russia, including that Moscow “should settle for an unconditional ceasefire” to pave the way in which for broader negotiations.
“We’re enthusiastic about seeing these conferences proceed as a result of we would like the struggle to finish this 12 months,” Sybiha mentioned throughout a joint press convention along with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Friday.
If the talks do go forward on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not be anticipated to attend.
However Fidan mentioned Turkey hoped to ultimately host a high-level summit: “We sincerely assume it’s time to deliver President Trump, President Putin and President Zelensky to the desk.”
Peskov mentioned Russia would solely entertain the thought of a high-level summit if significant progress was achieved in preliminary discussions between the 2 international locations.
He welcomed feedback made by Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, retired Gen Keith Kellogg, who described Russian considerations over Nato enlargement as “truthful”.
Gen Kellogg mentioned Ukraine becoming a member of the navy alliance, long-hoped for by Kyiv, was not on the desk.
He added that President Trump was “annoyed” by what he described as Russia’s intransigence, however emphasised the necessity to hold negotiations alive.
On Wednesday, Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, advised Ukraine’s Zelensky that Berlin would assist Kyiv produce long-range missiles to defend itself from future Russian assaults.
The Kremlin mentioned any choice to finish vary restrictions on the missiles Ukraine may use would signify a harmful change in coverage that might hurt efforts to deliver an finish to the struggle.
Moscow presently controls 20% of Ukraine’s internationally-recognised territory, together with Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.