Zelensky rejects Russian ceasefire, calls for true peace
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, rejected the proposal from the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, for a two to three-day ceasefire aimed at "collecting bodies." "I think they're idiots, because the whole point of a ceasefire is to prevent people from being killed in the first place," Zelensky remarked.
Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine has not changed its position – Kyiv demands an unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days. He stated that Russia is only interested in a "brief pause in the war."
Russia proposes a "ceasefire"
Zelensky noted that even without a short-term ceasefire, there is an exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers. He described the Russian proposals as an attempt to simulate diplomatic efforts aimed at delaying the next package of US sanctions against Russia. "I really want our American partners to take strong steps and send a package of sanctions to the Senate, to push the Russians to cease fire with strong sanctions. They don't understand any other way. And we believe that this is fair," he added.
The President of Ukraine also confirmed a plan for a new, broad exchange of prisoners, detainees, and bodies of the fallen. An "exchange in the format '1,000 for 1,000' was agreed in Istanbul, with the possibility of extending it to '200 for 200'. Ukraine brought up the issue of additional groups – soldiers, political prisoners, and journalists. Lists of names are to be exchanged this week.
Second round of talks in Istanbul
On 2nd June, the second round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul regarding ending the war that has lasted for nearly three and a half years. After the talks, Medinsky stated that Moscow proposed halting military activities on selected sections of the front "for two to three days in certain areas of the front line, so that commanders can collect the bodies of their soldiers." The Russian side explained this by the heat and epidemic threat in the so-called grey zone.
Shocking demands of Russia towards Ukraine
Furthermore, Russia presented two scenarios in a draft memorandum for ending the war. The first suggests the gradual withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from four partially occupied regions to an "agreed" distance from the borders of the Russian Federation.
The second option does not demand the direct handing over of territories but includes 12 conditions, such as: stopping mobilisation in Ukraine, halting foreign arms supplies, guaranteeing the cessation of "sabotage" on Russian territory, among others.
Commenting on these proposals, Zelensky stated they resemble an "ultimatum" from Russia.
