New Developments in Ukraine-Russia Negotiations
Ukrainian officials announced that they will meet with the Russian team to discuss how to implement and monitor the unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by the Trump administration.
Source: The Wall Street Journal and Public Broadcasting Company referencing РИА Новости
Details: WSJ reminds that Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire back in March, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to endorse this idea.
Public Broadcasting Company reports that it has not been officially announced who will be part of the Ukrainian delegation.
It has been revealed that the Russian side will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, who previously represented Russia in negotiations at the start of the full-scale invasion.
According to РИА Новости, the negotiations are expected to start in the afternoon. Earlier, Russian media reported that the talks were set to begin at 10 AM.
Background:
- On the night of May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to be ready for “direct negotiations” with Kyiv in Istanbul on May 15.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed to Zelensky that he is prepared to host direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a planned meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan in Ankara on May 15, but if the Kremlin leader agrees to fly to Istanbul, then he and Erdoğan will go to meet him.
- Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak stated that if Putin refuses to come to Turkey, it will be a final signal of Russia's unwillingness to end the war. The Kremlin claimed that the Russian side continues to prepare for talks in Istanbul on May 15, without providing further comments.
- Andriy Yermak also stated that Ukraine is ready for any format of negotiations with Russia, but this requires one condition – a complete ceasefire by the aggressor country.
- On the evening of May 14, Putin approved the delegation for negotiations with Ukraine in Turkey on May 15, and he is not included in the list.
- On the eve of the negotiations, on the night of May 15, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 110 Shahed-type strike drones, with 91 drones not reaching their targets.
