Russia awaits Ukraine's response on proposed peace talks
Russia has proposed an exact date and location for the second round of talks with Ukraine, during which proposals for a memorandum on reaching a peace agreement in Ukraine would be exchanged, Putin's advisor Vladimir Medinsky reported. The meeting is expected to take place in the coming days.
What do you need to know?
- Russia has proposed a date and location for the second round of talks with Ukraine, which will focus on reaching a peace agreement.
- Putin's advisor, Vladimir Medinsky, emphasised that Russia is awaiting a quick response from Ukraine.
- The United States has received peace proposals from Ukraine and is awaiting Russia's plan.
What are Russia's expectations?
Medinsky, who headed the Russian delegation during the first talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul in mid-May, emphasised that Russia is waiting for a response and expects Kyiv to provide it "as soon as possible". He mentioned that he discussed this over the phone with Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
- I read a message published by all global agencies claiming that Umerov supposedly called me about the memorandum, which we supposedly have not prepared yet, and that the Russians are in no hurry. I will comment on this: that's how it was, only the other way around. I called Umerov today and proposed an exact date and location for the meeting to exchange memorandums. We are ready to start a substantive discussion on each point of the agreement concerning the future ceasefire - said Medinsky.
- The Ukrainian side is consulting this proposal. We are waiting for their confirmation as quickly as possible, and we are ready to meet personally on the date set - in the coming days - and start working - added the advisor to the Russian leader.
The United States is waiting for Russia's move
On Tuesday, the special envoy of the US President for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, stated on Fox News that the United States has received proposals from Ukraine regarding achieving peace, and now it is Russia's turn to present its plan. He added that once the United States receives proposals from both sides, they will be able to compare them and arrange the next meeting dedicated to peace talks.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that a trilateral meeting involving US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Vladimir Putin would only be possible after concrete agreements between Ukraine and Russia are reached.
- Such a meeting must be the result of concrete agreements between both delegations, Russian and Ukrainian - said Peskov, adding that the next round of negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine could potentially be held again in Istanbul.
