They arrived in Constantinople on time, they were late for two hours to start them and spoke an hour and a quarter. They exchanged in writing their proposals for an agreement and for peace in the, discussed in detail about yet another exchange of prisoners, rejected each other’s proposals, did not set a date for the next round of the negotiations and then left without even handshakes.
This was the whole process and the major events in the second round of the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, in the Palace of Constantinople, under the mediation of the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan and the US.
From the above it becomes clear that despite pressure on the US and Europe, either through increasing support for Kiev (EU) or through threats to Russia for new sanctions or other measures, they do not affect talks to such an extent as developments in the field. No one can say with certainty, however, has influenced today’s positive or negative developments.
The fact that there was no real progress on burning issues, such as at least a long -standing truce, did not bend the Turkish side’s determination to present the Synod as a … almost success with a Turkish diplomat saying that the negotiations were “not completed negatively”.
What Ukraine says about negotiations
According to Ukraine Defense Minister and head of the Kiev negotiation team, Rustem Umero, who made statements to the media after the end of the talks, the two sides agreed to exchange all seriously injured and patients, the soldiers from 18 to 25 years old.
In addition, the Ukrainian side has submitted a list of names with hundreds of children abducted by the occupied Ukrainian territories and who demands that they be repatriated. The Ukrainian side again called for a meeting between Zelenski and Putin, with a possible involvement of Donald Trump. In addition, Kiev negotiators proposed a new round of talks between June 20 and 30.
As Umero said, Russia, if it wants to show that it means that it wants peace, should agree on a truce, humanitarian measures and a meeting of leaders. Otherwise, Umero emphasized, new sanctions should be imposed.
It is noted that after the negotiations completed, A senior Ukrainian official told the FTs that no significant incisions were achieved, “just small steps, as we expected.” The official added: “It seems that they are setting up a diplomacy image of Trump.”
What do Russians say
Shortly after Rustem Umero’s statements, the head of the Russian negotiating team Vladimir Mentinsky made. According to him: “The Russian proposals (Memorandum of Understanding) are essential and well processed. The Ukrainian side has received them for examination. During the negotiations, Russia handed over to the Ukrainian side a memorandum consisting of two parts. The second part of the Memorandum proposes various ways to cease fire. “
Mentinsky also referred to the details of the deal on the exchange of prisoners and dead soldiers, arguing that the deliveries of the dead Ukrainians will start next week, and will immediately set up permanent medical committees who judge which of the prisoners of war.
Among other things, the Russian leader of the reign team stressed that the Russian side proposed a short cessation of the fire 2-3 days in various areas of the front in order to collect the bodies of the dead and buried.
Concerning the issue of Ukraine children who have been transferred to Russia, Mentinsky has accused the Ukrainian authorities of turning the matter into a show (it is noted that the International Criminal Court has requested the arrest of Putin for the case), while noting that: The list of evacuated children consists of 339 people, not 20,000. ”
The role of Turkey and the US
At the start of the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara was ready to facilitate the dialogue, while referring to “US decisive role in peace”. He even praised Donald Trump’s attitude, saying that “his determination to restore peace has opened a new window of opportunity.”
Fidan noted that the main issue of this phase is the preparation for a leadership summit and the safeguarding of sustainable peace.
Stage tense, expectations low
The conversations were held under the shadow of heavy exchanges of fire and drone attacks of the previous days. Shortly before the meeting, Ukrainian officials had consultations with representatives from Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, trying to boost international support.
The images of the arrival of the delegations in Constantinople captured the cold war climate: the Russians wearing costumes, the Ukrainians in military uniforms.
The beginning of a difficult road
Immediate contacts of Russia -Ukraine began on May 16, after three years of total interruption. In that first round, the exchange of prisoners “1,000 for 1,000” was agreed, an agreement implemented.
Mentinsky had then stated that Moscow was satisfied with the outcome and willing to continue talks. The second meeting was expected to focus on a detailed exchange of memorandums with the official positions of both sides.
At the moment, however, the negotiation seems to have been “frozen”, with the main differences remaining bridging and the way to sustainable peace still seem distant.
