Istanbul Ceasefire Talks Proposed, Ukraine Seeks Russian Peace Plan Before Attending

A potential second round of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine is on the table for Istanbul next week, with the Kremlin expressing its readiness and commending the United States for its mediation efforts. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian delegation would be prepared for discussions with Ukraine in Turkiye by Monday morning, with a focus on developing conditions for a temporary truce.
Yet, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has articulated a clear precondition for Kyiv’s participation: Russia must first provide its concrete proposals for a peace deal. This stance from Ukraine underscores a desire for substantive engagement, ensuring that any negotiations are built upon a clear framework. While Russia is indeed formulating a list of ceasefire conditions, Peskov noted that the specifics of this memorandum would not be published, which could present a challenge to Ukraine’s demand for transparency.
A crucial reported demand from Russia for ending the conflict is a written pledge from Western leaders to cease NATO’s eastward expansion. This sensitive topic found resonance with comments from Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, who acknowledged the fairness of Russia’s concerns regarding NATO’s growth and stated the United States’ disinterest in Ukraine joining the alliance. The Kremlin expressed satisfaction with Washington’s apparent grasp of Russia’s long-standing position, finding its continued mediating role beneficial.