Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Kremlin today of refusing to convey to Kiev its "memorandum" detailing the conditions for a peace agreement, while avoiding confirming Ukraine's participation in new negotiations with Russia proposed for Monday in Istanbul.
"For more than a week, the Russians have been unable to present this so-called 'memorandum,'" the Ukrainian president wrote on the Iks website.
"Unfortunately, Russia has done everything it can to ensure that the next potential meeting does not bring any results," Zelensky added.
Russia on Wednesday proposed a second round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2, only to then submit its "memorandum" outlining Russia's conditions for a lasting peace agreement.
The Ukrainian President's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, said last night that his country was ready to participate in the talks proposed by Moscow next week, but he set the condition that these talks be "constructive" and said that it was important that Russia deliver to Ukraine a memorandum it is preparing before that meeting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday when announcing the second round of negotiations that the Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, is ready to present the memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and provide the necessary explanations during the second round of direct negotiations that continue in Istanbul on June 2.
Medinsky led the Russian delegation to the May 16 talks in Istanbul. These were the first direct peace talks between Kiev and Moscow since the spring of 2022, the beginning of a major Russian offensive in Ukraine.
The May 16 talks in Istanbul did not result in a major breakthrough towards a diplomatic solution to the war, but the two sides committed to an exchange of 1.000 prisoners each, which was completed last weekend.
Moscow plans to send its delegation to new negotiations on Monday.
Bonus video:
