Ukraine is ready for “direct negotiations at the highest level” and a “complete and unconditional ceasefire.”
Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, who is heading Kyiv’s delegation for talks with Russia in Istanbul, made this known via a statement posted on Telegram.
Umerov said Ukraine had coordinated its stance with key allies – including the US, UK, France and Germany – ahead of the meeting, calling it a push to “find real ways to achieve a lasting and just peace.”
“Peace is only possible if Russia shows readiness for concrete actions,” Umerov said, outlining demands including a “complete ceasefire for at least 30 days,” the return of forcibly deported Ukrainian children, and prisoner exchanges based on an “all for all” formula.
“We continue our struggle for a just and lasting peace,” he said, “and will not cease our efforts to achieve it.”
In the meantime, the Russian state media agency, TASS, has reported that the Russian delegation has arrived at the Dolmabahce Presidential Complex in Istanbul for talks with Ukraine.
The meeting will be the first time the two sides have negotiated directly with one another since the early stages of the conflict in March 2022.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Turkish Presidency working office in Istanbul at 12.30 p.m. local time (05.30 a.m. ET) on Friday.
CNN/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko
Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels, and also join our WhatsApp Update Group.
