Russia Kiev and Moscow to negotiate ceasefire on Monday
Kiev has agreed to a Russian proposal for a further round of direct talks to end the war in Ukraine. "On Monday, our delegation will be led by (Defense Minister) Rustem Umyerev," wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Platform X. Like the first round two weeks ago, the meeting is to take place in Istanbul, Turkey. It is scheduled to begin at 12:00 CEST in the Ciragan Palace, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
01.06.2025, 17:32
SDA
Selenskyj wrote that he had defined the Ukrainian position for the meeting in Istanbul: a complete and unconditional ceasefire, the release of prisoners and the return of abducted children. In addition, the meeting should be prepared at the highest level in order to create a reliable and lasting peace and guarantee security.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced the new talks initiative on Wednesday. He said that the Russian delegation was ready to present a memorandum to the Ukrainian team in Turkey. The paper sets out the Russian position on "all aspects of reliably overcoming the root causes of the crisis".
Ukraine initially insisted on receiving the memorandum immediately. Andriy Sybiha, foreign minister of the country attacked by Russia more than three years ago, wrote on X that the Russian side was expected not to let the next meeting fail and to present its proposals "without delay", as previously agreed.
Different positions
Moscow and Kiev differ in their overall approach to the negotiations. Ukraine wants to negotiate a ceasefire first, during the course of which the further path to final peace can then be discussed.
In March, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by US President Donald Trump on the grounds that Ukraine could rearm and regroup on the front during this time. He wants to continue fighting until Ukraine agrees to the conditions for a final peace.
In the UN Security Council on Friday, however, Russia signaled its readiness for a possible ceasefire - under conditions. "For the duration of the ceasefire, it is at least necessary for Western countries to stop supplying weapons to the Kiev regime and for Ukraine to end its mobilization," said Russia's UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia. His country is ready to discuss the conditions for peace at the negotiations in Istanbul on Monday.
The Russian peace terms are strongly reminiscent of a capitulation by Ukraine. Moscow is laying claim to large parts of Ukraine - including areas that it has not yet been able to conquer itself. In addition, the Kremlin wants to secure continued influence in Kiev via the Russian-speaking minority in the neighboring country, which is therefore not allowed to join NATO or retain a powerful army.
Ukraine wanted a Russian memorandum in advance
The Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umjerov announced that he had already sent a document with the Ukrainian position to the Russian chief negotiator. "We are not against further meetings with the Russians and are waiting for their "memorandum" so that the meeting does not come to nothing and really brings us closer to ending the war," he wrote on X. Umyerev accused Moscow of further delays and reiterated Ukraine's readiness for a complete and unconditional ceasefire.
Kremlin relies on secrecy
The Kremlin rejected these demands as "not constructive". Russia therefore wanted to avoid the proposals being discussed publicly before the negotiations. The Moscow tabloid "Moskovsky Komsomolets" even sensed a "Kiev trap for Russia in the new negotiations". The demand for the Russian conditions to be handed over in advance was aimed at discrediting Moscow by publishing them. The conditions would be presented as unacceptable, Russia as a warmonger, the columnist wrote.
This is probably precisely the reason for the secrecy, argues the Russian journalist Abbas Galljamow, who has fled into exile. The Russian leadership is aware that its demands "do not look flawless, to put it mildly, in the eyes of the world". It is therefore better for the Kremlin not to discuss them publicly.
Kiev fears major attack in the north-east
Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than three years with Western help. The only outcome of the first Russian-Ukrainian negotiations since 2022 in Istanbul in mid-May was a major prisoner exchange.
Last weekend, Moscow launched probably the most powerful drone attacks since the start of the war. There are no signs of the Russian side backing down from its maximum demands. According to Ukrainian President Selenskyj, Russia has gathered around 50,000 soldiers for a possible advance into the Sumy region in north-eastern Ukraine.
