Ukraine to Demand Ceasefire and Prisoner Exchange
Russia Insists on Recognition of Crimea as Russian Territory
Russia and Ukraine began negotiations regarding a ceasefire in Istanbul, T?rkiye, on May 16 (local time).
The negotiating delegations from both countries met for a closed-door session at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, starting at approximately 1:35 p.m. This marks the first such meeting in three years and two months since March 2022, immediately after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
The negotiations were originally scheduled for the previous day, but were delayed by one day as the two sides engaged in a standoff over the timing of the talks and the qualifications of the delegates.
On the Russian side, Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky attended as the chief delegate, while on the Ukrainian side, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov served as the chief representative. The negotiations are expected to take the form of a trilateral meeting mediated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The Ukrainian delegation is expected to propose an unconditional ceasefire, the return of children, the release of civilians, the exchange of prisoners of war based on the principle of "all for all," and a summit meeting between the leaders of both countries.
In contrast, Russia has set the objectives of these talks as the resumption of negotiations that were suspended in March 2022 and the establishment of "long-term peace." In the March 2022 negotiations, Russia demanded Ukraine's neutrality, recognition of Crimea?annexed by Russia in 2014?as Russian territory, and the independence of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which is home to pro-Russian separatist forces. These demands amounted to what was essentially a surrender.
Given that these Russian demands are essentially unacceptable to Ukraine, it is highly unlikely that any significant outcome will emerge from the talks unless Russia changes its position.
This bilateral meeting moved forward after Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise proposal on May 5, under pressure from the United States and Europe to agree to a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky counter-proposed that the leaders meet directly rather than sending delegations, but this was rejected by President Putin, and the proposal fell through.
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