ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine for the reason that early weeks of Moscow’s 2022 invasion ended Friday after lower than two hours, and a senior Ukrainian official stated the Russian aspect launched new “unacceptable demands.”
Earlier than they adjourned, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to change 1,000 prisoners of struggle every, in response to the heads of each delegations, in what can be their greatest such swap for the reason that struggle started.
Either side additionally mentioned a ceasefire and a gathering between their heads of state, in response to chief Ukrainian delegate Rustem Umerov.
Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who headed Moscow’s delegation, stated either side agreed to supply one another with detailed ceasefire proposals and a gathering by their heads of state.
Throughout the talks, a senior Ukrainian official stated Russia launched new “unacceptable demands” to withdraw Ukrainian forces from big swaths of territory. The official spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not licensed to make official statements.
The calls for had not been beforehand mentioned, the official stated.
He stated the Ukrainian aspect reiterated it remained targeted on attaining actual progress — a direct ceasefire and a pathway to substantive diplomacy, “just like the U.S., European partners, and other countries proposed,” the official added.
The 2 sides sat at a U-shaped desk however remained far aside of their circumstances for ending the struggle. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pressed each Moscow and Kyiv for an finish to the battle, saying a gathering between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin would occur “as soon as we can set it up.”
Arda Kucukkaya/Anadolu by way of Getty Photos
“I think it’s time for us to just do it,” Trump instructed reporters in Abu Dhabi as he wrapped up a visit to the Center East.
In Istanbul, a Ukrainian delegation led by Protection Minister Rustem Umerov sat reverse a low-level Russian staff headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, in response to Ukraine’s International Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi, who revealed a photograph of the assembly.
Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan had opened the session by urging the events “to take advantage of this opportunity,” including that it was “critically important that the ceasefire happens as soon as possible.”
Maneuvering Forward Of Talks
Each international locations engaged in diplomatic maneuvering this week as they tried to indicate Trump that they’re keen to barter, though he has expressed frustration over the sluggish progress and threatened to punish foot-dragging.
On Thursday, Putin spurned a suggestion by Ukrainian chief Volodymyr Zelenskyy to satisfy face-to-face in Turkey. Zelenskyy accused Moscow of not making a critical effort to finish the struggle by sending a low-level delegation.
Ukraine has accepted a U.S. and European proposal for a full, 30-day ceasefire, however Putin has successfully rejected it by imposing far-reaching circumstances.
Commenting on a doable Trump-Putin assembly, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov appeared to point that momentum for such a summit is constructing. He instructed reporters that top-level talks had been “certainly needed,” however added that getting ready a summit would take time.
Preventing Continues
Meantime, Russian forces are getting ready a recent navy offensive, Ukrainian authorities and Western navy analysts say.
A Friday morning drone assault on the northeastern Ukrainian metropolis of Kupiansk killed a 55-year-old lady and wounded 4 males, Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Navy Administration, stated. All of the victims labored for a municipal utility.
Russia’s invasion has killed greater than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, the U.N. says, and razed cities and villages. Tens of hundreds of Ukrainian troopers have died, and certain a bigger variety of Russian troops, officers and analysts say.
On the battlefield, one Ukrainian soldier stated he wasn’t hopeful that the talks would deliver a swift finish to the struggle.
“I don’t think they will agree on anything concrete, because summer is the best time for war,” he stated, utilizing solely the decision signal “Corsair,” consistent with the foundations of the Ukrainian navy. “The enemy is trying to constantly escalate the situation.”
However he instructed AP that a lot of his comrades “believe that by the end of the year there will be peace, albeit an unstable one, but peace.”
Earlier than the talks started, Ukrainian officers met with nationwide safety advisers from the U.S., France, Germany and the UK to coordinate positions, a senior Ukrainian official instructed AP, talking on situation of anonymity to speak about delicate issues.
The U.S. staff was led by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s particular envoy to Ukraine and Russia, whereas Umerov and presidential workplace chief Andriy Yermak represented Ukraine, the official stated.
A 3-way assembly between Turkey, the U.S. and Ukraine additionally occurred, Turkish International Ministry officers stated. The U.S. aspect included Secretary of State Marco Rubio in addition to Kellogg.
On Thursday, Rubio stated “we don’t have high expectations of what will happen” on the Russia-Ukraine talks.
He stated he believed a breakthrough was solely doable is a gathering between Trump and Putin.
Zelenskyy, meantime, was in Tirana, Albania, for a gathering with leaders of 47 European international locations to debate safety, protection and democratic requirements in opposition to the backdrop of the struggle.
“If the Russian representatives in Istanbul today cannot even agree to that, to (a) ceasefire, to this clearly necessary first step, then it will be 100% clear that Putin continues to undermine diplomacy,” Zelenskyy stated. “If that’s not the case, there must be at least some result today, starting with a ceasefire.”
Related Press author Aamer Madhani in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.
Observe AP’s protection of the struggle in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
