A second spherical of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have ended with no main breakthrough, and solely a deal to swap extra prisoners of struggle.
Ukrainian negotiators mentioned Russia had once more rejected an “unconditional ceasefire” – a key demand by Kyiv and its allies in Europe and the US – however the two dedicated to return the our bodies of 12,000 troopers.
The Russian crew mentioned it had proposed a two- or three-day truce “in sure areas” of the huge entrance line, however gave no additional particulars.
At Monday’s talks, which had been held within the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul and lasted simply over an hour, the 2 sides did comply with alternate all sick and closely wounded prisoners of struggle, as nicely these aged below 25.
Expectations had been low even earlier than the talks began, with each side remaining deeply divided on find out how to finish a struggle that has been raging since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Moscow at the moment controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, together with the southern Crimea peninsula it annexed in 2014.
Talking at a briefing after the assembly, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv’s negotiating crew, mentioned Ukraine was insisting on a “full and and unconditional ceasefire” for at the very least 30 days on land, at sea and within the air to “finish the killings now”.
He mentioned Ukraine had handed over its truce proposals to Russia “just a few days in the past” – however Moscow did not do the identical, presenting its plan solely on the talks in Istanbul.
The texts of each the Russian and Ukrainian ceasefire proposals haven’t formally been made public.
Nonetheless, Russian state-run media revealed what they are saying are key factors of Moscow’s place after the talks concluded. These embody unchanged calls for of a Ukrainian army withdrawal from its 4 partly occupied areas within the south-east, and the demobilisation of its troopers.
Russia additionally calls for worldwide recognition of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia areas, in addition to the annexed Crimea.
Different circumstances embody a ban on Ukraine’s membership in any army alliances, a restrict on the dimensions of the Ukrainian military, Russian as an official language, and the lifting of worldwide sanctions on Russia.
Ukrainian Deputy International Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia mentioned that Russia had rejected the unconditional ceasefire.
Ukraine additionally handed over a listing of lots of of youngsters Kyiv says have been forcefully taken to Russia.
Ukraine’s negotiators mentioned they had been anticipating Russia’s response to their proposals by the tip of June, stressing the necessity to put together for direct talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
However to this point there isn’t a signal of any progress in the direction of a gathering between the 2 presidents.
Talking at a separate information briefing, Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky confirmed all sick and closely wounded prisoners of struggle, in addition to these youthful than 25, could be exchanged. No timeframe was given as to when this could occur.
Medinsky additionally mentioned that Russia would hand over the our bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian troopers to Kyiv subsequent week. Zelensky additionally mentioned afterward Monday that Ukraine would return the our bodies of 6,000 Russian troopers, however didn’t specify when this could happen.
Rejecting an unconditional ceasefire, Russia prefers to speak about “lasting peace”, repeating its earlier robust calls for which Ukraine and its allies say are tantamount to Kyiv’s de facto capitulation.
Zelensky, who was attending a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Monday, mentioned that “whereas there are not any significant indicators from Russia to finish the struggle, it is very important strengthen our defence”.
He additionally known as for extra stress by sanctions on Russia.
Within the first spherical of direct peace talks, held on 16 Might, Ukraine and Russia did not bridge their variations on find out how to finish the struggle, agreeing solely to swap 1,000 prisoners of struggle every.
Zelensky and his European allies have repeatedly accused Russia of intentionally delaying any significant negotiations to grab extra Ukrainian territory.
US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a fast settlement, has to this point delayed hitting Russia with harder sanctions.
In a uncommon rebuke final month, Trump called Putin “absolutely crazy” following an enormous drone and missile assaults on Ukraine. In response, the Kremlin mentioned Trump was exhibiting indicators of “emotional overload”.
