Russia disclosed discussions outcomes in Istanbul, demonstrating readiness for concessions.
In the heart of the Kremlin, discussions swirl about the recent Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, which took place yesterday. Dmitry Peskov, the Presidential Press Secretary, describes the agreements reached as substantial, yet warns against expecting any groundbreaking moments. Russia, he says, is eagerly awaiting a reply from Kyiv to the memorandum put forward for resolving this conflict peacefully.
Meanwhile, a Kremlin representative hints at potential concessions on specific points of the memorandum during confidential negotiations but stresses that these discussions aren't suitable for public scrutiny. "This is a topic for behind-closed-doors chats, unsuitable for the public eye," the representative notes. Peskov acknowledges the complexity and intricacies involved in resolving this conflict.
The Kremlin representative explains that the memorandum drafted by Russia aims to eradicate the root cause of the conflict. He points to the document shared with the Ukrainian side, which is packed with provisions, many of which are multilateral in nature, all directed towards eliminating the root cause and steering the region towards a trajectory of lasting resolution.
However, Peskov cautions that immediate solutions and breakthroughs might be unrealistic. "Progress takes time, but there are agreements in place. They are significant. After all, people's lives are at stake. These agreements will be implemented, and the work will carry on," he notes, expressing hope for a Reaction from Kyiv to the memorandum.
Peskov responds to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's less-than-flattering statement about the Russian delegation, calling them "idiots." Peskov views Zelensky's statement as counter-productive to the spirit of negotiations. Yesterday, Zelensky referred to the Russian negotiators as "idiots" in response to Moscow's proposition for a ceasefire during the recovery and exchange of fallen soldiers' remains. Zelensky asserts that this proposal cannot be considered a ceasefire.
Regarding a potential meeting between Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Zelensky, Peskov is skeptical of an imminent summit. "President Putin advocates for interactions at the highest level, but believes they should be well-planned," Peskov says. He also adds that if a telephone conversation between Putin and Trump is needed, it can be arranged promptly, but nothing is set in stone yet.
With the two parties holding firm to their contrasting demands, the peace process remains elusive. Russia insists on Ukraine's neutrality and abandoning its bid to join NATO, while Ukraine stands by its commitment to pursue NATO membership and maintains its territorial integrity[1]. As both sides dig their heels in, a swift resolution seems unlikely.
- The discussions within the Kremlin about the Russia-Ukraine peace talks involve not only war-and-conflicts but also policy-and-legislation as they consider matters such as Russia's proposal for Ukraine's neutrality and abandonment of its bid to join NATO.
- Despite the recent peace talks, the general news remains bleak regarding a swift resolution to the conflict, as both Russia and Ukraine maintain their contrasting demands, leading to an elusive peace process.
