Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks falter amid unrealistic demands
However, many indicators suggest that a breakthrough in the ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine will not happen anytime soon. This is not only because the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, sent a low-level delegation to Istanbul for negotiations with the Ukrainians, but also due to the demands from Moscow.
Over the weekend, it might have seemed that a breakthrough in the Ukraine war was taking place. In response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for a ceasefire, Russian leader Vladimir Putin invited parties for talks in Istanbul. He himself did not attend, unlike the head of the country invaded by the Russians.
The talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul ended on Friday after less than two hours, reported the Reuters agency, citing sources. Some Russian media, such as the RIA Novosti agency, wrote that a break was announced during the talks. Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne reported that the delegations remained in the building where the talks were held.
Zelensky earlier stated that only talks with Putin make sense because only he can decide on a ceasefire or peace. He spared no words of criticism for the former KGB agent.
Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Friday, during the plenary session of the European Political Community summit in Tirana, that there was a genuine opportunity to achieve peace. However, he remarked that Russian President Vladimir Putin avoided attending the talks in Turkey, instead sending a delegation lacking the authority to make binding decisions.
Not only the low rank of the Russian delegation (consisting mainly of deputy minister-level officials) crushed the chances for an agreement. The Reuters agency unofficially determined that this is also the result of the demands presented by Putin's envoys.
The demands presented on Friday by the Russian delegation to the Ukrainian side in Istanbul are unrealistic and go beyond everything discussed so far - conveyed a source in Ukrainian diplomacy, quoted by the Reuters agency.
It was also reported that the Russian delegation demands Ukraine withdraw its armed forces from parts of its own territory to achieve a ceasefire.
Criticism from NATO and the USA
On Friday, the President of Ukraine asserted that Russia is actively working to undermine the progress made during the talks in Istanbul. He rejected the Kremlin’s accusations that Ukraine is obstructing negotiations, instead accusing Russia of engaging in superficial gestures. He emphasized that if Russia's actions prove to be insincere, the international community should respond with stronger measures, particularly by targeting Russia's energy and banking sectors. He called for increased pressure to be applied.
Similar criticism was also heard from high-ranking NATO and USA officials. "He has to be serious about wanting peace. I think all the pressure is now on Putin. I think it is very good that the Ukrainians have come to the table. They have sent a delegation that is really willing to negotiate a ceasefire," assessed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Tirana.
Rubio expressed frustration, stating that there would be no further attempts to pursue the matter globally. He explained that although similar situations had occurred in the past, the current visit was based on the expectation of direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives, as originally planned and communicated to all parties. However, he noted that these talks would not take place as anticipated, or if they did, not at the meaningful level initially hoped for.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the need for a united international front to either secure a much-needed ceasefire for Ukraine or, if that proves impossible, to impose sanctions on Russia as a necessary response.
