Will Russia and Ukraine Discuss Peace Memorandums in Istanbul?

Synopsis
As tensions continue, both Russia and Ukraine are gearing up for critical peace negotiations in Istanbul. What will the upcoming discussions entail, and could they pave the way for a much-needed ceasefire? Stay tuned as we delve into the details of the anticipated talks and their potential impact on the ongoing conflict.
Key Takeaways
- Upcoming negotiations in Istanbul involve Russian and Ukrainian draft peace memorandums.
- Safe navigation in the Black Sea is a key discussion point.
- High-level talks may include leaders from Russia, Ukraine, and the US.
- The last direct talks were held on May 16, without a ceasefire agreement.
- Both sides are preparing drafts to facilitate the peace process.
Moscow/Kyiv, May 30 (NationPress) The Kremlin has revealed that it anticipates the evaluation of both Russian and Ukrainian draft peace memorandums during the forthcoming discussions in Istanbul. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian team is set to leave for Istanbul and is prepared to engage in the next round of dialogue with Ukraine on Monday morning.
Peskov further mentioned that the negotiations will focus on establishing terms for a potential temporary ceasefire, with safe navigation in the Black Sea being a crucial aspect of any prospective agreement.
He also indicated that high-level interactions among leaders from Russia, the US, and Ukraine could occur, contingent on the talks' outcomes.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov indicated on Wednesday that Ukraine anticipates receiving Russia's draft peace memorandum before Monday's meeting, as reported by the Xinhua news agency. Umerov noted that Ukraine had already submitted its own memorandum to the head of the Russian delegation. In the meantime, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, confirmed that the Russian delegation would arrive with a draft memorandum and additional ceasefire proposals.
Additionally, on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov conversed with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan regarding preparations for the upcoming round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations, as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Fidan, who visited Russia earlier this week and is in Kyiv on Friday, updated Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Russia's stance regarding the ongoing peace initiative, according to a statement from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
The last direct talks between Russia and Ukraine took place on May 16, marking their first in-person discussions since March 2022. These talks, also conducted in Istanbul, ended without reaching a ceasefire agreement.