Russia-Ukraine talks stall amid unrealistic demands
The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, stated on Friday that he is satisfied with the outcome of the talks with the Ukrainian side in Istanbul. However, Kyiv holds quite different views. Ukrainian sources report that the demands presented by the Russians are "unrealistic" and exceed anything discussed so far.
What you need to know:
- The negotiations in Istanbul concluded in less than two hours, and the Russians expressed satisfaction with the results.
- Ukrainian sources found the Russian demands unrealistic, complicating further discussions.
- A prisoner exchange was discussed at a ratio of 1,000 for 1,000, anticipated to occur in the coming days.
The talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul ended on Friday in under two hours, according to Reuters citing sources. The agency noted no signs of progress in bridging the positions of the parties involved.
Representatives from both Kyiv and Moscow spoke after the talks concluded.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov stated that during Friday's talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations discussed the possibility of conducting a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals from each side.
The parties also discussed a ceasefire and the preparation for a potential meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, as he indicated.
"The goal of our talks was to discuss the ceasefire, the prisoner exchange, and potentially preparing a meeting at the presidential level," Umerov emphasised.
Russians satisfied with the talks
The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, expressed satisfaction with the talks' outcome. Medinsky also confirmed that the prisoner exchange involving 1,000 for 1,000 was discussed. "This will happen in the coming days," he indicated.
Medinsky mentioned that Kyiv requested talks at the presidential level between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.
Rodion Miroshnik, participating in the talks, referred to the possible Putin-Zelensky talks as pointless. "The mere fact of such a meeting will not bring any added value. We need substantive agreement projects, which the Russian delegation requested from the Ukrainian side. The 'conversational genre' alone is not enough here; we need substantive things that will form the basis for a possible peaceful solution," he said, as quoted by the Kremlin agency TASS.
The Russian side further announced the continuation of talks. Each side is to present details of its concept regarding a future ceasefire.
Unrealistic demands from Russia
According to sources such as Reuters, Axios, and Sky News, the Russian demands are "unrealistic." Among the proposals was the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from areas considered by the Russians as "occupied" - namely, the territories of the Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk regions.
Ukrainian media also highlight that the Moscow delegation did not wish for the Turkish side to participate in the talks.
