Russia again claims that it's prepared for Istanbul talks with Ukraine
Alexei Ivanov, Russia's Chargé d'Affaires in Türkiye, has claimed that Russia is ready "to continue direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side".
Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS, citing Ivanov
Quote: "The Russian side has repeatedly emphasised that we are ready to continue direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side, with the Ukrainian delegation. Our Turkish partners have also consistently stressed that the Istanbul platform remains available to us, these doors remain open.
If Kyiv shows political will, we are ready for such negotiations at any moment."
Details: Ivanov noted that the Russian side had presented a number of proposals during previous rounds of talks.
Quote: "A whole range of initiatives was put forward, including establishing three online working groups. Unfortunately, we have not yet received a positive response to these initiatives from the Ukrainian side."
Background:
- During a closed meeting in Istanbul on 16 May, Russian representatives presented a list of demands to the Ukrainian delegation, setting out the conditions under which Moscow is ready to cease fire. Among them were Ukraine's renunciation of territories and claims for reparations.
- Media reports described Russia's demands as unrealistic and far beyond what had been previously discussed.
- In June, Axios learned that the so-called "memorandum" containing proposals for a ceasefire and an end to the war, which Russia handed over to Ukraine on 2 June, maintained its earlier ultimatum-style demands, particularly regarding recognition of the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories.
- At the SCO Plus meeting in July, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin remarked that Russia may return to the so-called Istanbul agreements – peace talks that were carried out between Russia and Ukraine in March 2022 but yielded no results – despite putting forward additional requirements for negotiations.
Read more: Russian diplomacy as a tool of systemic influence in the war against Ukraine
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