Additional Coverage:
Kyiv Holds Firm: No Istanbul Talks Until Russia Shows Cease-Fire Details
Ukraine has stated it will not participate in planned peace talks in Istanbul on Monday unless Russia provides concrete details of its proposed cease-fire. Accusing Russia of deliberately stalling negotiations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frustration in a video address, stating that words alone are ineffective with Moscow. He highlighted the lack of visibility on a promised Russian memorandum on the cease-fire, despite purported preparation for over a week.
Echoing Zelensky’s sentiment, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, speaking alongside Turkey’s foreign minister, emphasized the need for an unconditional cease-fire from Russia. He confirmed that Ukraine has already shared its own cease-fire proposal with Moscow and expressed a strong desire for the talks to progress toward ending the conflict this year.
While Russia has confirmed its delegation’s attendance in Istanbul, the meeting will not include Presidents Zelensky or Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated that the cease-fire memorandum, focusing on addressing the “root causes” of the war, will be presented at the meeting. He also proposed a second round of talks for June 2, a date to which Ukraine has not yet committed.
Zelensky criticized Russia’s approach, suggesting they are intentionally hindering the talks, and called for increased sanctions and pressure on Moscow. Meanwhile, security advisors from the United States, France, Germany, and Britain are expected to attend the Istanbul meeting, even as Ukraine awaits further details from Russia regarding the cease-fire proposal. Ukraine remains steadfast in its position that a review of the Russian proposal is a prerequisite for any further peace negotiations.