Ukraine signals readiness for unconditional peace in key talks
Ukraine is ready for peace and a permanent, unconditional ceasefire, announced the head of Volodymyr Zelensky's office, Andriy Yermak.
Main points
- Ukraine is ready for an unconditional ceasefire.
- Key negotiations are taking place in Istanbul involving Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey.
- Representatives from the USA, UK, France, and Germany also participate in the discussions.
On Friday, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, Andriy Yermak, declared that Ukraine is ready for peace and a permanent, unconditional ceasefire.
We coordinated our positions with our colleagues ahead of today’s meeting with the russian delegation in Istanbul. The Ukrainian side reaffirmed its commitment to peace efforts, highlighting the constructive steps taken in recent weeks and months, wrote Yermak on platform X.
On Friday at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, another meeting is planned with the participation of representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. The Ukrainian delegation is led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and the Russian by Vladimir Putin's advisor, Vladimir Medinsky. Earlier on Friday at 10:00 AM Eastern Time in Istanbul, a meeting took place with the delegations from the USA, Ukraine, and Turkey concerning ending the war in Ukraine.
International talks
Andriy Yermak reported that Ukraine coordinated its position before the meeting with Russia. The head of Zelensky's office added that Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha held a meeting with the US envoy for Ukraine, Gen. Keith Kellogg.
They also met with Jonathan Powell, the National Security Advisor to the UK Prime Minister, Emmanuel Bonne, the diplomatic advisor to the President of France, and Guenter Sautter, the foreign and Security Policy Advisor to the Chancellor of Germany.
Vladimir Putin’s decision not to attend the talks in Istanbul drew broad criticism. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer firmly argued that recent developments further demonstrate the Russian leader’s lack of commitment to peace negotiations in Ukraine. Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen expressed similar views.
