Ukraine Braces for Russia’s Peace Proposal as Istanbul Talks Approach

Russia is gearing up for a second round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. Both sides are still far apart on how to end the conflict, which has continued since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russia will discuss its ceasefire conditions during the upcoming talks. However, they haven’t shared their proposals with Ukraine yet, which is a crucial step for Kyiv.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine has already submitted its proposals, signaling their openness to an “unconditional ceasefire.” Umerov’s comments showcase a desire for a peaceful resolution and an end to the fighting this year.

The first round of talks on May 16 did not yield any significant breakthroughs, aside from a major exchange of prisoners—a sign of both sides’ willingness to engage.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that for meaningful discussions to take place, Russia needs to agree to a ceasefire. He expressed hope for ongoing meetings that could ultimately lead to peace.

While both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are not expected to attend the talks, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated they aim to host a high-level summit in the future. He mentioned the need for leaders like Trump, Putin, and Zelensky to discuss solutions directly.

Peskov made it clear that Russia’s ceasefire proposals would remain confidential unless preliminary discussions lead to progress. He also noted comments from Trump’s envoy, retired General Keith Kellogg, who admitted that Russian concerns about NATO’s expansion were valid. Kellogg highlighted that Ukraine joining NATO isn’t on the agenda right now.

On May 19, Trump and Putin had a two-hour phone call to discuss a potential ceasefire deal. Trump felt the conversation went well and expected negotiations to begin soon. Ukraine has publicly supported a temporary 30-day ceasefire, but some see Russia’s actions as stalling tactics while they consolidate control over occupied territories.

A recent survey by the International Crisis Group found that 82% of Ukrainians favor pursuing peace talks to end the war, reflecting a strong public desire for resolution despite ongoing tensions. This sentiment is echoed on social media, where users are calling for transparent negotiations and increased global support for Ukraine.

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently assured Zelensky that Berlin would assist in producing long-range missiles for Ukraine, aiming to bolster their defense against Russian aggression. However, the Kremlin warned that easing restrictions on missile capabilities would jeopardize peace efforts.

Currently, Russia holds about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. This situation complicates the peace process and underscores the importance of these talks. The world watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough that could finally bring an end to the conflict.



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