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Russia and Ukraine meet for initial negotiations since the year 2022

Diplomatic discussions aimed at ceasing Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine, a battle that has been raging for over three years, commenced in Istanbul on Friday. While optimism surrounding an agreement to put an end to this devastating war, considered the deadliest European conflict since,...

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Diplomatic discussions initiated by Russia and Ukraine over ceasing hostilities, commenced on...
Diplomatic discussions initiated by Russia and Ukraine over ceasing hostilities, commenced on Friday in Istanbul. Surroundings suggest minimal probability of attaining a consensus to terminate the most damaging conflict between countries in Europe since the last few decades.

Russia and Ukraine meet for initial negotiations since the year 2022

In the heart of the ongoing conflict, Kyiv presses for an "unconditional ceasefire" to put a stop to the devastating fighting that has claimed countless lives, leveled vast portions of Ukraine, and displaced millions.

Russia intends to tackle the "root causes" of the strife and revive the 2022 negotiations gone awry, where they presented immense territorial and political demands to Ukraine.

Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, called for an immediate implementation of the ceasefire as the peace talk proceedings commenced within the opulent Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.

Addressing the assembled delegations, Fidan emphasized, "The war continues to claim lives, thus it is of fundamental importance that the ceasefire be instated at the earliest opportunity."

EU Introduces Sanctions Targeting Russia's 'Shadow Fleet'

While the European Union approved a fresh sanctions package toward Russia's 'shadow fleet', journalists gathered outside the palace, waiting for updates from within.

Conflict peak triumphantly, the two warring factions hurled insults at each other in the days preceding the talks, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Moscow of insincerity regarding peace efforts.

Nevertheless, the mere fact that the meeting was taking place underscored the urgency of the situation, as both sides faced increasing pressure from Washington to open dialogue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wavered in committing to travel to Turkey for the talks, eventually sending a second-tier delegation instead. Zelensky, in response, criticized the Russian delegation for lacking the decision-making authority to bring about meaningful change.

A Meeting of World Leaders

Both Moscow and Washington have emphasized the need for a summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump in addressing the ongoing conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov maintained, "Contacts between presidents Putin and Trump are vitally important in the context of the Ukrainian settlement, and a meeting is undeniably necessary."

On the issue, Donald Trump asserted that no resolution would be reached until the two leaders convened.

Ukraine's Priorities at the Negotiating Table

"Ukraine is prepared for peace and a permanent, unconditional ceasefire," Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's top advisor, declared. "The Ukrainian delegation is in Istanbul today to secure an unconditional ceasefire – this is our top priority."

Before engaging with the Russians, Ukrainian diplomats held consultations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg, and the national security advisors of Britain, France, and Germany. According to Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokeswoman, Rubio underlined the importance of securing a peaceful end to the conflict and reaffirmed the US position that the violence must cease.

Moreover, Ukrainian officials also expressed interest in arranging a meeting between Putin and Zelensky during their discussions in Istanbul. Istanbul sources reported that Moscow was obstructing US participation in the talks – the first since early 2022.

Western leaders voiced disapproval of Putin's absence from the negotiations, with EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas accusing Moscow of actively sabotaging peace efforts and NATO chief Mark Rutte branding Putin's decision to send a lower-rank delegate a regrettable oversight.

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  1. The European Union has introduced sanctions targeting Russia's 'shadow fleet' as part of the ongoing efforts to address war-and-conflicts, specifically the conflict in Ukraine.
  2. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, while convening the peace talk proceedings within the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, highlighted the importance of an immediate implementation of the ceasefire in Ukraine.
  3. In the wake of the talks in Istanbul, Ukraine's top advisor Andriy Yermak declared that securing an unconditional ceasefire is Ukraine's top priority at the negotiating table.
  4. International political figures, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, have emphasized the need for a summit between the two leaders to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Putin maintaining that a meeting with Trump is undeniably necessary in the context of the Ukrainian settlement.

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