Politics Ukraine and Russia negotiated in Istanbul, throughout which Moscow made unreasonable calls for. Monday, Could 19, 2025

The talks lasted round two hours, with Russia presenting expectations that had been excessively formidable in comparison with earlier discussions. Moreover, Russia threatened to “combat ceaselessly” and take management of two extra areas – Sumy and Kharkiv. Kremlin consultant Volodymyr Medinsky outlined Moscow’s 5 key calls for:

1. Ukraine’s impartial standing: Ukraine would wish to undertake a impartial stance just like the Austrian mannequin, forbidding overseas navy presence and weapons of mass destruction on its soil.
2. No reparations: Each events should mutually waive any claims for compensation relating to warfare damages.
3. Rights of Russian-speaking inhabitants: Ukraine should undertake European requirements to guard the rights of nationwide minorities and cease any “nationalist propaganda.”
4. Recognition of territories: Ukraine should acknowledge 5 areas (Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea) as Russian territory and work in the direction of their worldwide recognition.
5. A precondition for a ceasefire: The total withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the areas talked about above and their full switch to Russia.

Because of this, the discussions in Istanbul concluded with none ceasefire settlement. The one level of settlement was on a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap. Each Ukrainian and European representatives firmly reject Moscow’s phrases, arguing they violate worldwide regulation and Ukraine’s sovereignty. Ukrainian Protection Minister Rustem Umerov talked about that the subsequent step within the negotiation course of ought to contain a gathering between Zelenskyy and Putin.