The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years lasted less than two hours, with no visible sign of progress between the sides.
Delegations from the warring parties met at a palace in Turkey on Friday, their first face-to-face meeting since March 2022, a month after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, A2 writes.
The Russian delegation was satisfied with the meeting. At a press conference, the head of this delegation also presented the conclusions of the meeting between the parties in Istanbul.
"What did we agree on? First of all, in the coming days, there will be a large exchange of prisoners, about 1,000 people for each country. Secondly, the Ukrainian side has requested direct talks between the leaders of the two countries. We took this request into consideration. And thirdly, we agreed that each side will present its vision of the possible future of the ceasefire. After these projects have been presented, we find it reasonable to continue the talks that have already been agreed upon," said Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation.
The gap between the two sides quickly became apparent, according to Ukrainian sources who told Reuters that Russia's demands were "detached from reality and went far beyond anything previously discussed." They included ultimatums for Ukraine to withdraw from parts of its territory in order to reach a ceasefire "and other non-starter and non-constructive conditions," the source said.
For Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, an unconditional ceasefire is, in his words, the main priority in the ongoing talks with Russia in Istanbul. A ceasefire is the basis for future peace negotiations, Zelensky said at a meeting of the European Political Community in Train. “Even if the Russian representatives in Istanbul cannot agree even on a ceasefire today, then it will be 100 percent clear that Putin continues to undermine diplomacy,” he added.
For its part, Russia says it wants to end the war through diplomatic means and is ready to discuss a ceasefire. But it has raised a list of questions and concerns, saying Ukraine could use a pause to rest its forces, mobilize additional troops and buy more Western weapons. (A2 Televizion)
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