Discussions underway in Kiev concerning potential meetings; Moscow outlines requirements for truce agreement
Russia Proposes Ceasefire Conditions Ahead of Talks with Ukraine
Russia has declared readiness for a possible ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, ahead of planned talks in Turkey. Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia outlined the conditions for ending hostilities, stating that Western countries should halt arms supplies to Kyiv and cease their mobilization efforts. Nebenzia made these remarks in a speech distributed by the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
Moscow has scheduled a second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2, for discussions with Ukrainian representatives. This marks the resumption of direct talks for the first time since 2022. Nebenzia suggested that a ceasefire could facilitate working towards a long-lasting solution to the root causes of the conflict.
Previously, Russia had insisted on addressing the fundamental issues before considering a ceasefire. Ukraine, however, has demanded a 30-day ceasefire since March, based on a US proposal, to then work on resolving the conflict. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has insisted that the ceasefire should be agreed without preconditions.
Nebenzia has now stated Russia's two preconditions. He believes that Ukraine might not accept these conditions, as previous statements indicated. Russia seeks to avoid a situation where Ukraine uses the ceasefire to regroup or strengthen its military position during the fighting.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has accused Russia of arrogance in light of Nebenzia's remarks about Moscow's military strength. Kuleba stated that Russia's speech amounted to a slap in the face to those working towards peace. He declared that more pressure is needed on Russia to adapt a more diplomatic stance.
As tensions continue, fighting persists. In the border region of Sumy, Ukraine, rockets hit a residential area and destroyed warehouses, injuring at least one person. Similar incidents were reported in various regions within Ukraine. In Russia's Kursk region, ten people were injured in drone attacks, with several residential buildings damaged. The authenticity of both sides' claims could not be independently verified.
President Zelenskyy has left the possibility open for Kyiv's participation in the upcoming talks. He discussed the conditions for Ukraine's participation in negotiations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. No specific details were provided regarding these conditions, but Zelenskyy emphasized that real results were necessary for Ukraine's participation.
Russia has also offered a memorandum for the meeting on Monday, which Ukraine had requested for prior review. However, Russia has rejected Ukraine's request to discuss the memorandum before the negotiations in Turkey, preferring to focus only on the declaration of intent.
Meanwhile, US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal met with Zelensky in Kyiv, reaffirming their support for tougher sanctions against Russia. Graham stated that Ukraine could acquire US weapons to enhance its defense capabilities. The senators have prepared a sanctions bill against Russia, anticipated to have significant bipartisan support in the US Senate. However, it remains unclear whether the sanctions package will receive majority approval in the House of Representatives.
What are Russia's ceasefire conditions ahead of talks with Ukraine as proposed by Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia? Russia insists on halting Western arms supplies to Kyiv and ending mobilization efforts before agreeing to a ceasefire, with concerns that Ukraine might use the ceasefire to regroup or strengthen its military position.
