Ukraine is ready for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin in Turkey - MFA
Kyiv • UNN
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated Ukraine's readiness for negotiations with Russia in Turkey. One of the outcomes could be a ceasefire, but the Russian Federation has not yet agreed.
Official Kyiv is ready for a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Turkey. One of its outcomes could be a ceasefire, said Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on July 16 after talks with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, reports UNN.
The country's top diplomat noted that the state has repeatedly signaled its readiness for negotiations and supports Ankara's mediation. According to him, strengthening Ukraine's positions creates conditions for dialogue.
Ukraine has significantly strengthened its positions on the battlefield. Ukraine is becoming increasingly successful in its asymmetric operations on the territory of Russia. And this whole combination of elements, I believe, significantly strengthens our negotiating position. So now is the time to sit down at the negotiating table
He emphasized that any possible agreements must not contradict Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and also called for the participation of the US and Europe.
In turn, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed Ankara's readiness to provide a platform for negotiations and supported the revival of the Istanbul format.
If this is impossible (a full ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, - ed.), a moratorium on hostilities could be declared in several critically important areas that matter to both Ukraine and Russia, as well as to all countries
At the same time, as of now, the date and format of the meeting are unknown, and Russia has not yet agreed to these negotiations. Moreover, the Kremlin has already declared formal openness to talks but emphasized that it does not see quick prospects for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Context
Ukraine previously proposed Turkey as a meeting place. Zelenskyy also mentioned Switzerland and Arab countries. Turkey has already hosted negotiations between the parties, which yielded humanitarian results but not a political settlement.
Recall
After the G7 summit, informal negotiations between Ukraine, Trump's team, and Russia resumed. A two-stage ceasefire with a buffer zone along the front line is being discussed.