Questioning Commitment to Peace Talks
Ukraine’s president has raised doubts about Russia’s dedication to advancing peace negotiations following Moscow’s announcement of a team heading to Istanbul for talks on Monday.
Negotiating Proposals Still Pending
Russia has yet to submit its negotiating proposals, which Ukraine considers essential. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow’s ceasefire conditions would be addressed in Turkey. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of “doing everything it can to ensure the next possible meeting is fruitless.”
Need for a Structured Agenda
Zelensky emphasized that for the talks to be productive, there needs to be a clear agenda and thorough preparation. Ukraine has already provided its proposals to Russia, reiterating its “readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire.”
No Breakthrough in Previous Talks
While the first round of discussions in Istanbul two weeks ago yielded no significant progress, a swap of prisoners did take place. Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and now controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula annexed in 2014.
Ongoing Violence Amid Negotiations
As the talks approached, both nations experienced explosions, leading to casualties on Friday night into Saturday morning. In Ukraine’s Kherson region, three fatalities and ten injuries were reported, with local officials citing hits on critical infrastructure and residential areas.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister’s Statements
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reiterated that Kyiv had presented its “vision of future steps” and insisted that Moscow must accept an unconditional ceasefire to facilitate broader negotiations. He expressed a desire for the ongoing meetings, aiming for the war to conclude this year.
Turkey’s Role and Future Prospects
Although neither President Putin nor Zelensky is expected to participate in the Monday talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan indicated hopes for a high-level summit in the future. Peskov remarked that Russia’s ceasefire ideas would remain confidential and a summit would only be contemplated if substantial progress occurred in initial discussions.
