Direct peace talks between Moscow and kyiv Thursday, a first since spring 2022
More than three years after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, kyiv and Moscow will revive direct peace talks (that is to say without intermediary) in Istanbul, Turkey, a first since spring 2022.
Ukraine has not revealed the composition of its delegation. In the absence of Vladimir Putin, the presence of the Ukrainian president at the talks of Istanbul is not guaranteed. Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, for his part, announced on Tuesday that he would go to Antalya, in southwest Turkey, where the meeting of NATO foreign ministers is held at the same time.
Mr. Zelensky had urged Donald Trump to go to talks, saying that “Would give additional momentum” At the arrival of Mr. Putin. The American president had mentioned the “Possibility” to go to Türkiye if the Russian president moved to talks. At this stage, it is the head of American diplomacy, Marco Rubio, who is expected in Istanbul on Friday, according to a senior state department.
As for Vladimir Putin, his presence is therefore, a priori, excluded. The Russian delegation, revealed Wednesday evening by the Kremlin, is of less scope: it will be led by the presidential advisor, Vladimir Medinski, the vice-minister of foreign affairs, Mikhail Galouzine, and the defense vice-minister, Alexandre Fomine. The presence of Igor Kostioukov, the chief executive officer of the General Staff, was also announced by the Kremlin on Wednesday evening.
- What is the position of the parts?
kyiv, its European allies and Washington want a total and unconditional ceasefire of 30 days before possible negotiations. Vladimir Putin did not “Not excluded” that a truce be discussed during talks, but stressed that these discussions should focus on “The deep causes of the conflict”. Before that, Moscow had been reluctant to accept an extended ceasefire, believing that it would allow kyiv to strengthen by receiving Western weapons.
The Kremlin has been keeping since the start of the invasion of maximalist requirements: that Ukraine renounces to join NATO, abandons four of its regions partially controlled by Russia, in addition to Crimea annexed in 2014, and which the Western arms deliveries cease. Unacceptable requirements for kyiv, which has been asking for months “Safety guarantees” solid, via NATO membership or the deployment of a European military quota.
Vladimir Putin's diplomatic advisor, Iouri Ouchakov, said he expected talks during which questions “Policy” And “Techniques” will be on the menu.
European kyiv allies threatened Russia with “Massive sanctions” If she did not accept an extended truce in the coming days and Mr. Zelensky called for sanctions “The strongest” Never taken against Moscow if Mr. Putin refused to meet him. The EU adopted a 17 on Wednesdaye package of sanctions against Russia targeting the oil tankers of its “Ghost fleet” allowing him to bypass the restrictions.
Beyond the efforts to find a diplomatic outcome, Russia, which boasts of the resilience of its economy in the face of sanctions, repeatedly repeated that it intended to continue the ” goals ” of his invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Lemonde