Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine over after less than two hours
The peace talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul ended after less than two hours, the Turkish foreign ministry reported to news agency Reuters. These were the first direct talks between the two countries in over three years.
Details of the proceedings have not yet been officially announced, but a Ukrainian source said to news agency AFP that the Russian delegation came with “unacceptable demands”. For example, Russia has demanded that Ukraine cede areas it currently still controls.
“The Russian representatives have made unacceptable demands that go beyond what was discussed before the start of the meeting,” said the Ukrainian source. These include “the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from large parts of Ukrainian territory they currently still control before a ceasefire can take place.”
The way forward is not yet clear: whether there will be further talks in Istanbul in the near future, with or without Turkish or US mediation, or whether the talks have already ended for now.
These were the first direct talks between Ukraine and Russia since March 2022.
Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and other members of the Ukrainian delegation during Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul © BELGA PHOTO Ramil Sitdikov/TASS via ZUMA Press
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