Russia Proposes New Peace talks with Ukraine After Istanbul Discussions
Table of Contents
Following prisoner exchange, Moscow seeks further negotiation while Kyiv remains unresponsive.
Following the May 16 talks in Istanbul, which marked the frist direct peace discussions between Kyiv and Moscow since the start of the large-scale Russian offensive in Ukraine in the spring of 2022, Russia has proposed a new round of negotiations.
The Istanbul discussions did not yield a important breakthrough towards a diplomatic resolution, but they did facilitate a prisoner exchange of unprecedented scale, involving 1,000 individuals from each side, which concluded last weekend.
Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov, expressing gratitude to his “Turkish partners,” stated on Wednesday that “all those who are sincerely interested” in “the success of the peace process” support holding this second cycle of negotiations.
As of now, kyiv has not responded to this proposal.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Kremlin dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s proposal for a trilateral summit involving himself, vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump to advance peace discussions.
“Such a meeting must be the result of concrete agreements between the two Russian and Ukrainian delegations,” stated Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov during his daily briefing, in which AFP participated.
During a visit to Berlin to meet with the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Zelensky accused Russia of impeding peace talks by seeking “reasons not to stop the war.”
“All those who are sincerely interested” in “the success of the peace process” support the holding of this second cycle of negotiations.
Frequently Asked questions
- What is the main goal of the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine?
- The primary goal is to achieve a ceasefire and find a long-term political solution to the conflict, addressing territorial disputes and ensuring security for both countries.
- What were the outcomes of the Istanbul talks?
- While the Istanbul talks did not result in a major breakthrough,they facilitated a significant prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals from each side.
- What is Ukraine’s current stance on further negotiations?
- As of the latest reports, Kyiv has not yet responded to Russia’s proposal for a new round of peace talks.
Sources
