Ukraine's subsequent aim in ongoing negotiations with Russia is to prepare a direct assembly between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Protection Minister Rustem Umerov mentioned throughout a press briefing on June 26.
Chatting with journalists in Kyiv, Umerov, who was a part of Ukrainian peace talks delagation, outlined a multi-stage negotiation course of that started in January with an initiative from U.S. President Donald Trump. Umerov harassed that Ukraine welcomed the thought of a ceasefire from the outset and stays absolutely dedicated to a simply peace.
"Ukraine has at all times remained constant in its pursuit of peace," Umerov mentioned. "We supported the U.S. initiative for a full ceasefire from the very starting and demonstrated our dedication by a number of rounds of negotiations. However any dialogue should happen with out ultimatums and with full respect for our nation's sovereignty."
The talks unfolded in a number of rounds in Jeddah, Riyadh, Paris, London, and Istanbul. Through the second spherical of negotiations in Riyadh, Ukraine communicated with Russia not directly, by U.S. mediators. In Turkey, U.S. mediators had been excluded from talks as a result of Russia's request, based on Umerov.
Umerov mentioned Ukraine had accepted a U.S.-proposed full ceasefire throughout land, sea, and air in early March, however Russia has rejected the proposal.
Whereas no settlement on a complete ceasefire has been reached, talks have led to a couple main prisoner exchanges, together with a 1,000-for-1,000 swap that passed off in late Might and a follow-up deal for as much as 1,200 prisoners from both sides.
Umerov mentioned the main focus of latest negotiations has included humanitarian points comparable to the discharge of civilians and youngsters, in addition to situations for a gathering of Ukrainian and Russian leaders. He emphasised that the subsequent stage should embrace top-level dialogue.
"After finishing discussions on humanitarian points, Ukraine plans to maneuver ahead to the subject of a leaders' summit for substantive dialogue," he mentioned.
The newest peace talks between Russia and Ukraine passed off on June 2 in Istanbul, following an earlier assembly on Might 16. Each occasions, the Ukrainian delegation was led by Umerov. Regardless of Ukraine's insistence on a 30-day ceasefire, Russia proposed solely a short lived 2–3-day truce in restricted areas to retrieve the our bodies of fallen troopers. Umerov known as this supply "inadequate" and accused Moscow of avoiding significant peace.
"Russia rejects even the very thought of stopping the killings," Umerov mentioned following the June 2 talks. "That's why we attraction to the world: strain is required for actual peace, not for an imitation of negotiations."
Zelensky has additionally criticized Moscow's restricted ceasefire affords and known as on Trump to comply with by on promised sanctions if talks stay fruitless. Trump has repeatedly recommended that he’s monitoring the peace course of carefully and warned that the U.S. response may change if Putin isn’t ready to finish the conflict.
No additional U.S. sanctions had been imposed after greater than 100 days of Moscow's refusal to the proposed ceasefire.
The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak