On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, will be in Istanbul on Monday to engage in discussions with Russia.
Zelensky shared on social media, “I have outlined our positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday,” adding that Umerov will lead the delegation, similar to the first round of talks held in May.
The President emphasized that Ukraine’s top priorities are achieving a “complete and unconditional ceasefire,” as well as the “return of prisoners” and Ukrainian children whom Kyiv accuses Moscow of abducting.
The first round of negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place in Istanbul on May 16, aimed at ending the conflict that began on February 22, 2022.
However, that meeting did not yield significant results, as both parties only agreed to an exchange of prisoners.
Russia proposed the new meeting in Istanbul for Monday, but Ukraine expressed uncertainties about its participation as of Sunday.
Zelensky accused Moscow on Friday of undermining the negotiation effort by refusing to provide Kyiv with its “memorandum,” which outlines Russia’s conditions for a peace agreement.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the positions of Ukraine and Russia remain fundamentally opposed.
Russia has primarily demanded that Kyiv abandon its aspirations to join NATO permanently and accept the annexation of five Ukrainian regions.
In contrast, Kyiv rejects these conditions and insists on the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory.
Additionally, Moscow opposes the unconditional ceasefire that Kyiv, Washington, and European nations are calling for.
On Sunday, the Ukrainian president called for preparations for a “high-level meeting,” which would involve Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He has previously suggested meeting with Putin, although this proposal was not warmly received by the Russian leader.