Russia views the recent negotiation with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey, as a “continuation” of the peace course of disrupted in 2022, Russia’s chief negotiator stated.
The primary goal of the delegation is to safe lasting peace and remove the underlying causes of the Ukraine battle, stated Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, who led the nation’s delegation.
Medinsky famous that the delegation, which was permitted by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order, has the mandatory competencies to conduct negotiations, Xinhua information company reported.
The diplomat stated the Russian crew is targeted on “discovering potential options” and customary floor by a constructive strategy.
In an announcement on Sunday, Putin proposed the resumption of direct negotiations with Ukraine on Thursday in Istanbul.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has beforehand stated he’s open to a face-to-face assembly with Putin.
In accordance with a Kremlin assertion on Wednesday, Putin was not on the listing of the delegation heading for the negotiations.
Zelensky stated on Thursday he wouldn’t attend the peace talks in Istanbul, although Kyiv will ship a delegation there.
The final direct talks between Ukraine and Russia happened in Istanbul in March 2022, the place the 2 sides did not conform to halt the combating.
Moscow’s aim within the anticipated peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul is attaining “sustainable peace” by addressing the “root causes of the battle” somewhat than a ceasefire, Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Could 15.
The feedback come as Russian and Ukrainian delegates are anticipated to fulfill in Istanbul for what can be the primary direct negotiations between the 2 events since 2022.
Ukraine has referred to as for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as step one towards peace talks — a place backed by the US and European nations however rejected by Russia.
Moscow has as a substitute referred to as to renew negotiations however rejected President Zelensky’s attraction for an in-person assembly with Russian President Putin.
Ukrainian officers are reportedly planning to solely talk about methods for implementing and monitoring a ceasefire, making the prospects of a deal unlikely in gentle of Lavrov’s feedback.
Lavrov nonetheless stated that the negotiations must be “given an opportunity,” including that “nobody can assure that every thing will go easily, with out issues”.
Russia’s high diplomat stated that Kyiv’s Western companions ought to press Ukraine to repeal its nationwide minority legal guidelines, saying it could “price nothing to the People and the Europeans”.
Moscow has repeatedly portrayed Ukraine’s laws aimed towards Russification and in help of the Ukrainian nationwide identification as one of many key causes of its full-scale invasion.
Talking to journalists upon his arrival at Ankara airport, Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian delegation is of the “highest stage,” together with Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha, representatives of the army and the Presidential Workplace, and heads of “all intelligence companies”.
The Russian delegation is led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and additional consists of Deputy Overseas Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Navy Intelligence Director Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin.
Medinsky led the primary unsuccessful talks with Ukraine in 2022.
It stays unclear whether or not the talks will happen regardless of Putin’s absence.
“We have to perceive what the extent of the Russian delegation is, what their mandate is, and whether or not they’re able to making selections on their very own,” Zelensky stated after arriving in Ankara.
“As a result of everyone knows who makes selections in Russia,” he added, saying Moscow seems to have despatched a “sham” delegation.