The first direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations since March 2022 took place in Istanbul. The meeting, mediated by Turkey, lasted less than two hours and ended without a breakthrough, Reuters and AFP reported, citing the Turkish foreign ministry. Ukrainian diplomacy confirmed to Reuters the end of the talks, while Russia's state-run TASS news agency spoke of a pause with the possibility of resumption.
According to a source in the Ukrainian delegation, Russia came up with demands that Ukraine said were unacceptable. In particular, according to Al Jazeera, Moscow demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the eastern and southern regions of the country as a condition for a ceasefire, which Kiev rejected. "Russian proposals are unrealistic and ignore Ukraine's sovereignty," the BBC quoted a Ukrainian official as saying. Ukraine, on the other hand, insists on a ceasefire without preconditions and the full restoration of its territorial integrity.
Russia's TASS news agency reported that the delegation, led by Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, put forward "concrete proposals" aimed at "de-escalation" and providing "security guarantees" for Russia. According to TASS, the Russian side proposed demilitarisation of certain Ukrainian territories and neutrality for Ukraine, which includes a ban on joining NATO. It also stressed that the negotiations are not over, but only suspended to allow the parties to consult with their respective leaderships.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who opened the meeting at Dolmabahçe Palace, called for an immediate ceasefire. However, according to AFP sources, no further talks are planned during these days.
The talks were the first since the Russian invasion in February 2022 and represented a diplomatic shift, albeit a symbolic one. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, with Medinsky representing Russia. Neither Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky nor Vladimir Putin attended in person.
Ukraine consulted with the US, Turkey and European allies, including France, Germany and Britain, ahead of the talks, The Guardian reported. These meetings were intended to ensure a coordinated position. According to Al Jazeera, Zelensky initiated diplomatic efforts last week when he proposed a 30-day ceasefire, to which Russia responded by proposing the Istanbul talks.
Sources close to the negotiations told Reuters they did not expect significant progress, which has been confirmed. According to the Ukrainian side, the Russian demands and the low level of the delegation are indicative of Moscow's unconstructive approach. Still, the BBC and The Guardian assess the meeting as a minor diplomatic step. Further developments depend on international pressure, especially from Turkey and the US.
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