Ukraine and Russia will again negotiate on Monday in Istanbul. It is for the second time in just over two weeks that both countries will talk to each other without an intermediate party. Yet the wishes are still far apart.
For years, Russian and Ukrainian delegations did not talk to each other, but since the return of US President Donald Trump, the pressure to come to peace has been greater. In mid -May, the Turkish metropolis was therefore the scene of the first direct negotiations in almost three years.
Then the countries agreed a major prison exchange, but concrete agreements were not forthcoming. This was partly due to the absence of the main characters. Zelensky challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to Istanbul and also considered talking to Trump in Turkey. But Putin remained in Russia, after which Zensky and Trump also decided not to go to Istanbul.
Yet Putin suggested a new round. Turkey likes to host himself again, but Ukraine was more reluctant. This week Zensky demanded a concrete peace proposal from Russia before negotiations were made. That did not come, but the Ukrainian president decided on Sunday to send a delegation to Istanbul.
The Russian delegation left for Istanbul on Sunday. The Ukrainian negotiating team is led by foreign minister Rustem Umerov and leaves on Monday.
Ukraine wants to cease it-fire, prison exchange and conversation with Putin
Although with the new negotiation round a small step may be taken in the right direction, Kyiv and Moscow still differ considerably about the conditions for peace. Reuters news agency saw a document of Ukraine in which a route map is described to Peace.
In the document, a completely cease -fire of at least thirty days is proposed, a plan that Ukraine suggested more often – with European support. Until now, Putin always rejected that. After the ceasefire, there must be a complete prison exchange, in which both countries exchange all their prisoners of war. Finally, Kyiv demands that Putin sits down with Zelensky.
Ultimately, these three steps must be the prelude to negotiations on long -term peace, involving the United States and Europe. Ukrainian officials tell Reuters that the roadmap was sent to Russia, prior to the conversations in Istanbul on Monday.
Russia demands control over Ukrainian fate after the war
Russia also has requirements. Sources in Moscow reported this week to Reuters that the Kremlin wants a “written” promise of Western countries to do not expand NATO further to the east. This practically excludes future membership of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.
In addition, Russia demands, among other things, that Ukraine will remain neutral after the war and that Western sanctions are canceled. As soon as Putin realizes that he does not get peace on his conditions, “peace will be even more painful tomorrow than today,” the warning from Moscow sounds.
Zensky has indicated several times that it does not want Russia to get a veto about future alliances of Ukraine. Kyiv also does not want the Ukrainian army to be limited, something that Russia regularly hints. In short: the wish lists of both countries are still quite far apart.
In the meantime, time is still ticking in favor of the Russians. The longer it takes before peace is negotiated, the further the Russian troops can advance on the battlefield and the better the Russian negotiating position is.
But the longer it takes before there is peace, the greater the chance that Washington loses his patience with Putin. The Russian president seems willing to test Trumps patience to the limit. For the time being, this does not lead to consequences. You can read how that works in the article below.
Ukraine and Russia Will Negotiate Again in Istanbul on Monday. It is the second time in Just about Two Weeks That Both Countries Will Talk To Each Other Without A Third Party. However, Their Wishes Are Still Far Apart.
For Years, Russian and Ukrainian Delegations Did Not Speak To Each Other, But Since the Return of Us President Donald Trump, The Pressure to Reach Peace Has Increased. In Mid-May, The Turkish Metropolis, Therefore the Scene of the First was immediately negotiations in Almost Three Years.
At that time, The Countries Agreed on a Major Prisoner Exchange, But Concrete Agreements Failed to Materialize. This was partly due to the absence of the main figures. Zelensky Challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to Come to Istanbul, and Trump also Considered Talking in Turkey. But Putin Stayed in Russia, after which Zensky and Trump also decided not to go to Istanbul.
Yet Putin Propose a New Round. Turkey was again Happy to sacrifice itsself as host, but ukraine was more reserved. Zensky Demanded A Concrete Peace Proposal From Russia This Week Before Further Negotiations would take place. That did not happen, but the ukrainian president still decided on Sunday to send a delegation to Istanbul.
The Russian Delegation Left for Istanbul on Sunday. The Ukrainian Negotiating Team is LED by Foreign Minister Rustem Umerov and Will Leave On Monday.
Ukraine Wants a Ceasefire, Prisoner Exchange and Talks with Putin
Although the New Round of Negotiations May Represent Another Small Step In The Right Direction, Kyiv and Moscow Still Differ Considerably on the Conditions for Peace. News Agency Reuters Saw A Document from Ukraine describing a Roadmap to Peace.
The Document Proposes A Full Ceasefire of At Least Thirty Days, A Plan that Ukraine has -or -proposed – with European Support. Until Now, Putin Has Always Rejected that. After the Ceasefire, there must be a full prisoner exchange, with both Countries Exchanging All Their Prisoners of War. Finally, Kyiv Demands That Putin Sit Down with Zensky.
Ultimately, thesis three steps should be the prelude to negotiations on Lasting Peace, Involving The United States and Europe. Ukrainian Officials Tell Reuters That the Roadmap Has Been Sent to Russia, Ahead of the Talks in Istanbul on Monday.
Russia Demands A Say in Ukraine’s Fate After the War
Russia also has demands. Sources in Moscow Told Reuters This Week that the Kremlin Wants A “Written” Promise from Western Countries That Nato Will not Expand Further East. This effective excludes Future Membership of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, Among Others.
In Addition, Russia Demands, Among Other Things, That Ukraine Remain Neutral After the War and That Western Sanctions Be Lifted. As soon as putin realizes that he will not get peace on his terms, “Peace Tomorrow will be even more Painful than today,” The Warning Sounds from Moscow.
Zensky has repeatedly indicated that does not want russia to have a veto about future Alliances of Ukraine. Kyiv also does not want the ukrainian army to be restricted, Something that Russia Regularly Hints at. In short, The Wish Lists of Both Countries Are Still Quite Far Apart.
Meanwhile, Time is Still on the Russians’ Side. The Longer It Takes Before Concrete Peace Negotiations Take Place, The Further Russian Troops Can Advance on the Battlefield and the Better the Russian Negotiating Position.
But the longer it takes before there is peace, the Greater the Chance That Washington Will Lose Patience With Putin. The Russian President Seems Willing to Test Trump’s Patience to the Limit. So far, this does not lead to consequences. You can read Exactly How That Works In The Article Below.