Ukrainian Protection Minister Rustem Umerov stated on Might 28 that Kyiv remains to be awaiting the Russian facet’s proposed ceasefire memorandum, which was anticipated following peace talks in Turkey earlier this month.
Based on Umerov, the worldwide neighborhood had anticipated Russia would submit the doc promptly after the Might 16 negotiations in Istanbul.
"Sadly, the Russian facet tried to delay this course of. However strain labored," Umerov stated in his Fb publish. He credited statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, European leaders, and President Volodymyr Zelensky for compelling Moscow to finish the draft. He famous, nonetheless, that Russia continues to withhold supply of the doc.
"They obtained our doc," Umerov added, referring to Ukraine’s place paper. "We reaffirm Ukraine’s readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire and continued diplomatic engagement."
Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov introduced the identical day that Russia's memorandum, detailing its stance, can be offered by the delegation led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky in the course of the subsequent spherical of negotiations set for June 2 in Istanbul.
Throughout a press convention, Lavrov stated the 2 sides had agreed on Might 16 to draft paperwork outlining their respective positions. He added that Russia had "promptly drafted a corresponding memorandum," which incorporates what he described as steps to handle the "root causes of the disaster."
Russia’s so-called "root causes" reportedly embrace long-standing maximalist calls for that Kyiv withdraw from 4 partially occupied areas, that NATO stop additional enlargement eastward, and that some sanctions on Moscow be lifted. The memorandum additionally addresses the problem of frozen Russian belongings and requires "the safety of Russian-speaking Ukrainians."
Moscow has promoted the narrative that Kyiv discriminates in opposition to Russian-speaking residents by means of its language insurance policies. Whereas Russian remains to be broadly spoken all through Ukraine, the federal government has launched reforms in recent times geared toward strengthening the usage of Ukrainian in public life—a part of broader efforts to reverse many years of Russification underneath each Soviet and Russian affect.
A overwhelming majority of Russian-speaking Ukrainians — these how primarily converse Russian at house — view Russia negatively, in accordance with a survey revealed on Might 27 by Kyiv-based assume tank Razumkov Middle in cooperation with the Kyiv Safety Discussion board.
Umerov additionally stated Ukraine is open to extra conferences however burdened the significance of preparedness to make sure any discussions are productive.
"The Russian facet has not less than 4 extra days (till June 2) earlier than their departure to supply us with their doc for evaluate," he stated. "We name on them to meet that promise at once and cease making an attempt to show the assembly right into a harmful one. Diplomacy should be substantive, and the following assembly should yield outcomes."
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek