Political Analyst Outlines Possible Ukraine-Russia Talks Format in Istanbul
Ukraine is ready to agree to an unconditional ceasefire and continue to participate in negotiations with Russia on a lasting peace in any format. However, the Russian side, despite the Kremlin's initiative to hold a meeting in Turkey, does not demonstrate readiness for a real conversation, Doctor of Political Science Ihor Petrenko emphasised.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to the broadcast of the FREEDOM TV channel.
According to Petrenko, the Ukrainian side considers negotiations only at the level of heads of state. Everything else is just a delay.
"Russia may send the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, to the talks. This will, of course, be a spectacular representation. The Russian President's aide Yuri Ushakov, the Russian President's envoy for investment, Kirill Dmitriev, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov may be present. It is clear that the President of Ukraine will not meet with them," Petrenko said.
He noted that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to talk only to Putin during possible talks in Istanbul.
"It is still difficult to say what other possible formats of negotiations in Turkey are possible. I do not think that Russia will come up with any other format, it has trapped itself in the negotiation process regarding Ukraine. It is now in a position where it needs to justify itself. And how Putin reacts to Zelenskyy's proposal for a personal meeting in Istanbul will determine the reaction of our partners to impose new sanctions against the aggressor country and increase military assistance to Ukraine," the political analyst concluded.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was ready for peace talks with Russia in any format. However, before that, Moscow must confirm a complete ceasefire from 12 May. Zelensky later said that he would be in Turkey on Thursday, 15 May, where he was ready to meet with Putin.
As The Gaze reported earlier, European foreign ministers issued a united call for peace in Ukraine on Monday, with several top diplomats urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage seriously in negotiations.