Ukraine awaits Russia’s 'memorandum' ahead of Istanbul talks, leader-level summit may follow — FM Sybiha

He said this during a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Kyiv.

The head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted that Kyiv is interested in continuing negotiations with Moscow, as it wishes to end the full-scale war by the end of the year. Ukraine is also interested in establishing a temporary truce and is ready to discuss this directly with Russia.

"We confirmed this during the last meetings of our delegations with the Russian side. Following the previous meeting in Istanbul, Ukraine has already conveyed to the Russian side its vision of further steps, further peace efforts, including the parameters of a future truce," Sybiha noted.

He added that Kyiv is also awaiting the prior transfer of its own 'memorandum' from Russia to Ukraine and the United States.

"In order for the next planned meeting to be substantive and focused, it is important to receive the document in advance so that the delegation that departs has the authority to discuss the relevant positions," the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized.

Sybiha also stated that the next step after possible direct negotiations with the Russian delegation in Istanbul should be preparations for a meeting at the level of leaders.

"The next step is a future meeting of the presidents, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. We would be glad if this meeting would be in a more expanded format," said the head of Ukrainian diplomacy.

Ukraine-Russia peace talks: background

On May 16, a trilateral meeting of delegations from Ukraine, the U.S., and Turkey took place in Istanbul, followed by direct negotiations between representatives of Russia and Ukraine. According to Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, the key issues were a prisoner exchange in a “1000 for 1000” format, the possibility of a ceasefire, and a potential meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.

On May 19, Donald Trump, after a conversation with Vladimir Putin, announced the immediate start of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. However, on May 20, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that there were no timelines for preparing a peace memorandum. Later, on May 22, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared that Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not have the authority to sign a peace memorandum and that Ukraine must elect a new president.

On May 27, U.S. President’s special representative Keith Kellogg announced that Washington had received a document from Ukraine outlining conditions for peace and is now awaiting a memorandum from Russia. He also mentioned a possible location for future negotiations between the parties. On the same day, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan proposed Istanbul as the venue for a new round of talks between Russia and Ukraine.

On May 28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that an announcement about a new round of talks between the Ukrainian and Russian sides would supposedly be made soon. At the same time, Dmitry Peskov noted that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is possible only if concrete agreements are reached. He also added that work on the Russian draft memorandum is almost complete.

On May 28, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Rustem Umerov had called Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky, but the Ukrainian side still has not received a memorandum from Russia. After this, Lavrov stated that the Russian delegation is ready to present their memorandum at the second round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the Russian side is delaying the peace process aimed at ending the war.