Ukraine-Russia talks suspended
The Ukrainian and Russian delegations have paused the peace talks being held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Friday 16 May.
Source: Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne and Sky News, citing sources
Details: Suspilne’s sources said there has been a pause in the negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia.
The delegations are staying in the palace for now, a Suspilne correspondent reported from the meeting.
Meanwhile, a Sky News source in the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations have ended. According to Sky News, Russian state media denied this, reporting that the talks "are not over" and "the parties have taken a break".
Sky News reported that the Ukrainian side is furious about Russia's unrealistic demands.
Suspilne reported that Russia had demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories it has not captured militarily as a precondition for a ceasefire, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
Background:
- Peace talks between delegations from Ukraine and the Russian Federation are continuing in Istanbul. The Russians have put forward a number of unacceptable conditions.
- Sky News reported, citing a source in Ukrainian diplomatic circles, that Russia put forward demands that are unrealistic and go far beyond what was previously discussed.
- The source said that Russia's demands include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from its own territories before a ceasefire can be declared.
- The source also noted that there were other "unacceptable" demands.
- This followed reports that for the first time in more than three years, direct talks between Russia and Ukraine had begun in Istanbul.
- Russia was reported to have sent a low-level delegation led by Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky to the talks in Türkiye.
- The media also reported that the Russian delegation in Istanbul demanded that US representatives not be present at the talks with the Ukrainian side.
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