Ukraine seeks clarity before committing to June 2 peace talks with Russia

Ukraine on Friday withheld its confirmation of participation in the next round of peace talks with Russia, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, stating it first requires a detailed proposal from Moscow outlining its conditions for a potential truce or peace deal.

The hesitation comes amid renewed U.S.-led diplomatic pressure to end the war, now in its third year, and follows an inconclusive first round of negotiations hosted by Turkey on May 16.

“We are ready for dialogue, but we demand clarity — clear and, most importantly, balanced proposals,” said Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in comments aired on Ukrainian national television. Yermak added that Kyiv had yet to receive a formal memorandum from Moscow, making it premature to commit to the next meeting.

Washington and Moscow Push for Progress

The June 2 talks are being organized under the diplomatic mediation of Turkey, with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged both sides to pursue a negotiated settlement. Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said earlier Friday that Russia's concerns about NATO’s eastward expansion were “fair,” and reiterated that the U.S. does not support Ukraine joining NATO, a key Russian demand.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia’s delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, is set to travel to Istanbul and will be “ready for talks on Monday morning.” Peskov said discussions are ongoing to finalize a list of conditions for a temporary truce, and welcomed the more accommodating tone from U.S. officials on NATO enlargement.

Turkey's Role and Next Steps

Turkey has positioned itself once again as a central mediator in the negotiations. On a visit to Kyiv, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he remained hopeful that continued dialogue would yield progress. “As long as the sides remain at the negotiating table, progress can surely be seen,” he told reporters.

Fidan also revealed that if the upcoming round proceeds, Ankara hopes to eventually facilitate a high-level summit involving Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Zelenskyy.

However, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who appeared alongside Fidan at a press conference, voiced concern over the lack of preparatory documentation. “It is important to receive a document in advance so that the delegation that will attend has the authority to discuss the relevant positions,” Sybiha said. He did not indicate how Ukraine would respond if the proposals were not received in time.

War Background and Outlook

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, marking the most significant conflict in Europe since World War II. More than 1.2 million people have been killed or wounded, according to conservative estimates cited by Kellogg earlier Friday.

Ukraine has stated it is open to discussing a temporary ceasefire, whether for 30, 50, or 100 days, as a step toward a broader peace. However, fundamental differences remain unresolved — particularly over territory, sovereignty, and NATO alignment — making a comprehensive agreement unlikely in the near term.

While both sides appear eager to demonstrate flexibility to Washington, and particularly to Trump, their mutual distrust and diverging strategic goals continue to hinder meaningful diplomatic progress. For now, the possibility of talks resuming on June 2 hinges on whether Moscow delivers a concrete proposal — and whether Kyiv finds it worth discussing.

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