Diplomatic Talks Between Ukraine and Turkey: New Horizons
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The leaders discussed the potential peace negotiations that could take place in Istanbul on June 2.
Zelensky and Erdogan Discuss Peace Initiatives
Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that the conversation focused on the importance of the initial meeting in Istanbul.
«The exchange of prisoners is a significant step, but it is not enough. A ceasefire must be achieved to continue peace talks. We need to stop the violence», - stressed the Ukrainian president.
The presidents also explored the possibility of holding a follow-up meeting in Istanbul next week. Zelensky emphasized that it is crucial for these talks to be productive.
«We both agree that this meeting should not be fruitless. We also discussed the possibility of a four-party meeting involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and the USA», - noted the Ukrainian president.
The Turkish president's office confirmed that Ankara supports the continuation of dialogue between Ukraine and Russia.
«President Erdogan emphasized that discussing a possible ceasefire during the second round of talks in Istanbul would be an important step towards peace, and having strong delegations from both countries is essential to maintain momentum towards peace», - stated the Turkish president's office.
Details of the Ukraine-Russia Talks in Istanbul on June 2
The second round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia is scheduled for Monday, June 2.
Kyiv urged Moscow to provide the promised «memorandum» regarding the ceasefire ahead of the meeting in Turkey to ensure effective negotiations.
«We also expect a memorandum from the Russian side, as announced. It is crucial for the upcoming meeting to be substantive and constructive», - said Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga.
Ukraine has already presented its vision for peace to the Russians and submitted a detailed proposal for ending the war with Russia. According to NYT, it includes a complete ceasefire under international monitoring.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that the Russian side does not intend to publish its version of the «memorandum».
