ISTANBUL: Ukraine said Monday (Jun 2) it was ready to take “necessary steps for peace” at talks with Russia in Istanbul, where the two sides will exchange plans on how they want to end the three-year war, Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.
Urged on by US President Donald Trump, Moscow and Kyiv have opened direct negotiations for the first time since the early weeks of Russia’s invasion, but have yet to make significant progress towards an elusive agreement.
Monday’s talks come a day after Ukraine carried out one of its most brazen and successful attacks ever on Russian soil – hitting dozens of strategic bombers parked at airbases thousands of kilometres behind the front line.
A first round of talks in Istanbul last month yielded a large-scale prisoner exchange but no pause in the fighting, which has raged since Russia invaded in February 2022.
The second round is scheduled to get underway at 1pm at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, an Ottoman imperial house on the banks of the Bosphorus that is now a luxury five-star hotel.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will mediate the talks.
“We are ready to take the necessary steps for peace,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a summit of NATO members in Vilnius ahead of the talks.
A source in the negotiating team urged Russia to avoid repeating its previous hardline demands and show “flexibility”.
“If they are ready to move forward, not just repeat the same previous ultimatums, then there may be good and big news today,” the source told AFP.
“UNCONDITIONAL CEASEFIRE”
Moscow says it will present a “memorandum” of its peace terms, having resisted pressure by Ukraine to send its demands in advance.
Despite the flurry of diplomacy, the two sides remain far apart.
Zelenskyy on Sunday refreshed his call for an immediate halt to the fighting, something Kyiv says is a necessary first step to discussions of long-term peace.
“First – a full and unconditional ceasefire. Second – the release of prisoners. Third – the return of abducted children,” he said Sunday in a post on social media.
He also called for the sides to discuss a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The key issues can only be resolved by the leaders,” Zelenskyy said.
The Kremlin has repeatedly pushed back against the prospect of a Zelenskyy-Putin meeting, having questioned his legitimacy throughout the war and repeatedly called for him to be toppled.
Moscow says it wants to address the “root causes” of the conflict – language typically used to refer to a mix of sweeping demands including limiting Ukraine’s military, banning the country from joining NATO and massive territorial concessions.
Kyiv and the West have rejected those calls and cast Russia’s assault as nothing but an imperialist land grab.
istanbul Talks: Can Ukraine and Russia Find a Path to Peace? An Expert Weighs In
Keywords: Ukraine Russia Talks, Istanbul Negotiations, Peace Agreement Ukraine, russia Ukraine War, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Ceasefire Ukraine, Geopolitical Analysis
Time.news: Dr. Evelyn Reed,a renowned expert in international conflict resolution and Eastern European politics,joins us today to discuss the latest round of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul.Dr. Reed, thank you for being hear.
Dr. Evelyn Reed: It’s my pleasure.
Time.news: Let’s dive right in.These talks in Istanbul are being framed as a crucial opportunity for progress. What’s your assessment of the current situation based on reports of the initial discussions?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: The fact that these talks are even happening is notable, especially with direct negotiations being rare since the early days of the invasion. The backdrop, however, is incredibly complex. Ukraine’s recent attack on Russian airbases demonstrates their capacity for strategic strikes,showing they are not backing down. Together, Zelenskyy’s pronouncements regarding the “necessary steps for peace” indicate a potential willingness to engage, albeit with firm preconditions. A key question is whether Russia will show a similar willingness to compromise beyond reiterating familiar hardline demands.
Time.news: The article mentions a “memorandum” of peace terms that Moscow intends to present.What do you anticipate this document will contain, and how likely is it to be amenable to Kyiv?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Based on previous statements, Moscow’s memorandum will likely reiterate its core objectives: limiting Ukraine’s military capacity, solidifying its territorial gains, blocking NATO membership, and influencing Ukraine’s political alignment. These demands represent a fundamental challenge to Ukraine’s sovereignty and are unlikely to be accepted willingly. The success of these negotiations hinges on Russia’s willingness or ability to adapt these positions and move toward a feasible compromise.
Time.news: Zelenskyy is calling for an “unconditional ceasefire” as a first step. Is this a realistic starting point, given the current intensity of the conflict?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: A full and unconditional ceasefire is, ideally, a logical first step towards de-escalation and building trust. Practically,its implementation is fraught with challenges. Verifying compliance and ensuring both sides adhere to the agreement is extremely challenging in the absence of strong international monitoring mechanisms, which are currently lacking. Distrust is extremely high, so any perceived violation, intentional or otherwise, can quickly derail the entire process. Having mentioned that, Zelenskyy’s call highlights the pressing need to stop the immediate loss of life and suffering.
Time.news: The Kremlin has been resistant to a direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. Why is such a meeting key, according to Zelenskyy, and why is Moscow hesitant?
Dr.Evelyn Reed: Zelenskyy rightly believes that the most critical issues ultimately require the resolution of the leaders themselves. High-level dialogue can facilitate breakthroughs when lower-level negotiations reach an impasse. Moscow’s reluctance stems from several factors. They question Zelenskyy’s legitimacy – a common tactic in conflict scenarios. Furthermore, a meeting might be seen as legitimizing Zelenskyy on the international stage, which Moscow may want to avoid. There is also the risk that a high-profile summit ending in disagreement could damage Moscow’s diplomatic efforts.
Time.news: The article mentions Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan mediating the talks. What role does Turkiye play in facilitating dialogue between Ukraine and Russia?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Turkiye has cultivated decent relations with both Ukraine and Russia, a strategic position that gives it credibility as a mediator. They have previously successfully brokered agreements, such as the grain deal, demonstrating their ability to navigate these complex relationships. Turkiye’s geographic location and neutrality allows them to provide a neutral venue and facilitate dialogue.
Time.news: For our readers, what are the key takeaways from these Istanbul talks? What should they be watching for in the coming days and weeks?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Readers should be closely watching for any signs of compromise from either side regarding their core demands. Is Russia softening its stance on territorial concessions or Ukraine’s international alignments? Is ukraine willing to discuss aspects of its military future? Keep an eye on the language used in official statements – shifts in rhetoric can frequently enough indicate evolving negotiating positions. The duration of these talks is itself an indicator,a brief meeting likely means no progress,while extended engagement might suggest deeper discussions and the possibility of a breakthrough. Nonetheless, lasting peace will require commitment, adaptability, and, critically, international guarantees to ensure any agreement is upheld. These factors are even more critical for achieving stability in the region and averting similar conflicts in the future.
