Ukraine signals readiness for peace amid crucial 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, the 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 ahead of the meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations 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, another meeting is planned with the participation of representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation, and the Russian delegation was led by Vladimir Putin's advisor, Vladimir Medinsky. Earlier on Friday in Istanbul, a meeting took place with 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 met with the U.S. envoy for Ukraine, Gen. Keith Kellogg, together.
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 absence from the talks in Istanbul drew widespread condemnation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer firmly stated that the Russian leader has no genuine interest in achieving peace in Ukraine, pointing to recent events as further proof of his lack of commitment to negotiations. Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen echoed similar sentiments.
