In a hopeful move towards ending the conflict, delegations from Russia and Ukraine are set to meet in Türkiye’s vibrant city of Istanbul on June 2 for the next round of peace talks. This will be the second direct face-to-face meeting since the war began in early 2022.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who leads the Kyiv delegation, shared on Facebook that his team has already submitted Ukraine’s draft peace proposal to Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky. “We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their memorandum so that the meeting won’t be empty and can truly move us closer to ending the war,” Umerov said.
On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that Moscow has proposed June 2 in Istanbul for a “sustainable peace settlement.” Lavrov said Russia would finalize its peace “memorandum” within four days, giving both sides time to review each other’s drafts ahead of the meeting.
Last month, on May 16, both teams met in Istanbul for the first direct talks since March 2022, marking a symbolic return to dialogue. Those discussions laid the groundwork for this upcoming date, with key issues ranging from cease-fire terms to humanitarian corridors still on the table.
The diplomatic dance has also drawn support from global players. Lavrov reported discussing the talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, touching on the implementation of agreements between President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Rubio reiterated Washington’s readiness to assist in identifying common ground for peace.
As the clock ticks down to June 2, young leaders and citizens around the world will be watching Istanbul closely. In an era where digital platforms amplify every handshake and statement, the outcome of these talks could set the tone for a new phase of international cooperation—or signal further challenges ahead.
Stay tuned to see whether the memorandums exchanged behind closed doors will pave a path to lasting peace, or whether more rounds of negotiation will be needed in the months to come.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
