Ukraine seeks Trump's involvement in Russia peace talks
Ukraine would like the next meeting between its President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to include U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated on Friday.
What do you need to know?
- Ukraine aims to expand the format of talks with Russia by inviting U.S. President Donald Trump to participate in the discussions.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha expressed hope for such a meeting during a press conference with Turkey's Foreign Minister.
- During talks in Istanbul on May 16, agreements were reached on three key issues: prisoner exchange, a ceasefire, and preparations for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin. Ukraine now awaits a Russian memorandum on further steps.
- The next round of peace talks is scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul. Ukraine is ready to participate but expects a constructive discussion and a peace memorandum from Russia.
- And of course, we will welcome it if this meeting takes place in a broader format, in particular with the participation of President Trump, Sybiha said at a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The Ukrainian minister recalled that during the Ukrainian-Russian talks in Istanbul on May 16, agreements were reached on three matters: the exchange of prisoners, exchanging views on the ceasefire, and initiating steps towards a meeting between Zelensky and Putin, as reported by the Ukrainska Pravda portal.
At a joint conference with Fidan, Sybiha also said that the Ukrainian side expects the promised memorandum text from the Russian side concerning the war in Ukraine.
- Ukraine has already conveyed to the Russian side its vision of further steps, its vision of our further peace efforts, in particular, regarding the parameters of the future ceasefire. We are also waiting for the "memorandum" from the Russian side, as it was announced. We are waiting in advance, this was also promised to the American side, declared the Ukrainian Foreign Minister.
Ukraine expects "constructive discussion"
On Thursday, Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian President's office, stated that Ukraine is prepared to participate in the second round of peace talks with Russia, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, but expects it to be a "constructive discussion." He also emphasized that Kyiv expects Moscow to present a peace agreement memorandum before June 2.
According to Yermak, the Russian side has received a text detailing Ukraine's position. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tychyj stated that Russia is delaying the provision of Ukraine with the text of its peace memorandum, likely due to concerns that it is unfeasible.
Earlier on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected Kyiv's demand, arguing that Russia has not received any response from Ukraine regarding the Russian proposal for talks on June 2 in Istanbul. In response, Ukrainian President Zelensky described this as another "maneuver" by Russia intended to render negotiations between both parties "pointless."
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow had proposed to Kyiv a second round of peace talks for June 2 in Istanbul. - The Russian side, as agreed, has promptly developed a relevant memorandum, which sets out our position on all aspects of reliably overcoming the root causes of the crisis, Lavrov said, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Also on Wednesday, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umyerov announced that Ukraine had given the Russian delegation a document reflecting its position. - They received our document. We reaffirm Ukraine’s readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire and continued diplomatic engagement – he emphasized.
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