Preparation for the second round of negotiations with the Russian Federation in Istanbul: what is known at the moment
Kyiv • UNN
The next round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will take place on June 2 in Istanbul. Ukraine expects a "memorandum" from Russia with a vision for a ceasefire for discussion.
In Istanbul, on Monday, June 2, the next round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia is expected. Our state, which has repeatedly declared its commitment to the negotiation process, has announced its readiness for a new meeting with representatives of the aggressor state. What to expect from the next stage of negotiations - the journalist of UNN found out.
Ukraine's position
After the statement of the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov that the Russian delegation will be in Istanbul on June 2, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov stated that our state is not against meeting with the Russians. At the same time, he noted that Ukraine is still waiting for a "memorandum" in which Russia will present its vision of a ceasefire.
We are not against meetings with the Russians and we are waiting for their "memorandum" so that the meeting is not empty and can really bring the end of the war closer. The Russian side has at least four more days before departure to send us their document for processing. Ukraine has always been and will always be as constructive as possible
The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak during a telephone conversation discussed the preparation for new negotiations with Russia with representatives of Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy.
During this conversation, Yermak drew the attention of the partners to the fact that Russia has not yet submitted to Ukraine the so-called "memorandum" with its vision of steps towards a ceasefire. The head of the OP reminded that there was an agreement to do this after the completion of the exchange of prisoners. At the same time, the Russian side has already received a document reflecting the Ukrainian position.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha called on representatives of the aggressor state not to wait for Monday, but to hand over the Russian "memorandum" on the ceasefire to Kyiv.
Why wait for Monday? If the Russians have finally developed their "memorandum" - after ten days of reflection and strikes against Ukraine - it can be immediately handed over to us
Kyiv, according to him, expects that the Russian side will not disrupt the next meeting and "immediately submit its proposals for consideration, as was agreed earlier."
Russia will be represented by the same delegation
As for the Russian side, the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the aggressor state, Maria Zakharova, said that Russia will be represented in Istanbul by the same delegation as last time.
"The same delegation will go to Istanbul for new negotiations from Russia," Zakharova said on the air of a Russian state channel.
At the same time, according to Russian media, Moscow is ready to submit a memorandum during the second round of renewed direct negotiations. Also, the Kremlin is not yet going to say what conditions it will put forward for a ceasefire and whether these requirements are contained in the Russian draft memorandum.
It is also worth reminding that one of the fundamental positions of Russia is refusal from negotiations in the Vatican, Switzerland or any other negotiating platform, except Istanbul.
Who else will come to Istanbul
Special Representative of the President of the United States for Ukraine Keith Kellogg reported that security advisers from the USA, France, Germany and Great Britain will take part in the next round of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul.
Kellogg noted that, according to him, this group previously participated in the formation of the Ukrainian version of the "memorandum" with 22 points during meetings in London and Paris.
I would advise Kyiv to refrain from statements that Ukraine will not participate in peace negotiations with Russia. You have to show that you are serious. The main goal of the negotiations is to achieve a ceasefire and stop the killings
He also emphasized that the obstacle to the negotiations is the absence of the Russian version of the so-called "memorandum".
At the same time, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the UN John Kelly stated during a meeting of the UN Security Council that the United States is considering withdrawing from negotiations on establishing peace in Ukraine in the event that Russia makes the "wrong decision to continue the catastrophic war".
According to him, if Russia continues the war in Ukraine, negotiating efforts on the part of Washington may be stopped.
It is worth noting that the White House has not yet confirmed whether US representatives will join the new stage of negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in Istanbul
Negotiations in Istanbul: what was the first meeting
Speaking to journalists after the first round of negotiations in Istanbul, Umerov said that the ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners were discussed during this meeting.
"The issue of ceasefire and exchange. These two issues were discussed," Umerov said.
When asked what the agenda of the next negotiations is, whether new topics will be raised, Umerov answered: "We will inform you soon."
Currently, a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war in the format of "1000 for 1000" is essentially the only concrete result of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.