As Russia signals readiness for fresh peace talks, Ukraine urges immediate delivery of Moscow's memorandum, stressing the need for a productive and result-oriented meeting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday announced that Russia is prepared to hold the second round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. Speaking via a written statement carried by Russian state media TASS, Lavrov credited the involvement of the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye for helping to create the conditions for the resumption of direct negotiations.
The first round, held on May 16 in Istanbul, led to a mutual prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals on each side and resulted in a commitment to prepare position documents for a sustainable resolution. Lavrov noted that Russia has now finalised a memorandum detailing its views on addressing the core causes of the conflict and is prepared to present it during the upcoming talks.
“Our delegation, headed by Vladimir Medinsky, is ready to present this memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and provide the necessary explanations during the second round in Istanbul next Monday, June 2,” Lavrov said, while also thanking Türkiye for facilitating the negotiations.
Ukraine responded promptly to Russia’s proposal, with Defence Minister Rustem Umerov stating that Kyiv is fully prepared for a complete and unconditional ceasefire and expects Russia to share its memorandum ahead of the next meeting.
“We are not against meetings with the Russians and expect their ‘memorandum’ so that the meeting is not empty and can really bring the end of the war closer,” Umerov posted on social media platform X. He added that delays from Moscow had hindered progress, but pressure from international leaders, including President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, helped push the process forward.
Umerov confirmed that Ukraine had already submitted its own position document and urged Russia to fulfil its promise to deliver its memorandum, cautioning against turning the talks into “a destructive one.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed this stance, questioning the need to wait until Monday. “If the Russians have finally elaborated on their 'memorandum'—after ten days of reflections and attacks—it can be passed to us right away,” he said.
He emphasised that any future dialogue must be well-prepared and meaningful. “Only a well-prepared meeting has the potential to produce tangible results,” Sybiha noted.
Kremenchuk, an industrial centre on the Dnipro River, was struck again as Russian forces targeted facilities across the city during the night....
More than 60 Indigenous artifacts held in the Vatican for 100 years, including a rare Inuit kayak, arrived in Montreal, where First Nation, Métis and...
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defends follow-up strike on suspected drug boat in the Caribbean, denies authorizing the killing of all onboard, an...
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday that preparations are under way for a substantial business mission to Moscow, describing the vi...
Eighteen migrants drowned when their boat overturned 26 miles (40 km) south of the Greek island of Chrysi, after a Turkish cargo ship spotted the vess...
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defends follow-up strike on suspected drug boat in the Caribbean, denies authorizing the killing of all onboard, and comments on protocols for military operations.
FIFA releases the 2026 World Cup schedule with match dates, venues, and key fixtures. See when host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada play and get an overview of group stage and knockout rounds.
‘We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that the peace plan for Gaza is put into action as soon as possible and that this humanitarian tragedy comes to an end,’ Turkish top diplomat Fidan tells Anadolu
A giant Christmas tree adorned with red and gold baubles stands in the West Bank city of Bethlehem for the first time since 2022.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has finalized the group stage for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, setting the schedule and matchups for next summer’s expanded 48-team event.
FIFA releases the 2026 World Cup schedule with match dates, venues, and key fixtures. See when host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada play and get an overview of group stage and knockout rounds.
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their shared border late on Friday, a reminder of how sensitive the frontier remains despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for its support of the claims by United Arab Emirates on three Iranian islands.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu on Friday, a rare gesture seemingly reserved for the head of Europe's second-largest economy that highlights Beijing's focus on Paris in its ties with the European Union.
More than 60 Indigenous artifacts held in the Vatican for 100 years, including a rare Inuit kayak, arrived in Montreal, where First Nation, Métis and Inuvialuit leaders welcomed them home with ceremony, song and emotion.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defends follow-up strike on suspected drug boat in the Caribbean, denies authorizing the killing of all onboard, and comments on protocols for military operations.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday that preparations are under way for a substantial business mission to Moscow, describing the visit as an exclusively economic engagement.
Eighteen migrants drowned when their boat overturned 26 miles (40 km) south of the Greek island of Chrysi, after a Turkish cargo ship spotted the vessel and alerted Greek authorities.
FIFA releases the 2026 World Cup schedule with match dates, venues, and key fixtures. See when host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada play and get an overview of group stage and knockout rounds.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment