ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine because the early weeks of Moscow’s 2022 invasion ended Friday after lower than two hours, and a senior Ukrainian official mentioned the Russian facet launched new “unacceptable calls for.”
Earlier than they adjourned, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to trade 1,000 prisoners of battle every, in line with the heads of each delegations, in what can be their largest such swap because the battle started.
Each side additionally mentioned a ceasefire and a gathering between their heads of state, in line with chief Ukrainian delegate Rustem Umerov.
Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who headed Moscow’s delegation, mentioned each side agreed to supply one another with detailed ceasefire proposals and a gathering by their heads of state.
Through the talks, a senior Ukrainian official mentioned Russia launched new “unacceptable calls for” to withdraw Ukrainian forces from large swaths of territory. The official spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not approved to make official statements.
The calls for had not been beforehand mentioned, the official mentioned.
He mentioned the Ukrainian facet reiterated it remained centered on reaching actual progress — an instantaneous ceasefire and a pathway to substantive diplomacy, “similar to the U.S., European companions, and different international locations proposed,” the official added.
The 2 sides sat at a U-shaped desk however remained far apart of their situations for ending the battle. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pressed each Moscow and Kyiv for an finish to the battle, saying a meeting between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin would occur “as quickly as we will set it up.”
Arda Kucukkaya/Anadolu through Getty Photos
“I believe it’s time for us to simply do it,” Trump informed reporters in Abu Dhabi as he wrapped up a visit to the Center East.
In Istanbul, a Ukrainian delegation led by Protection Minister Rustem Umerov sat reverse a low-level Russian staff headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, in line with Ukraine’s International Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi, who revealed a photograph of the assembly.
Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan had opened the session by urging the events “to reap the benefits of this chance,” including that it was “critically necessary that the ceasefire occurs as quickly as potential.”
Maneuvering Forward Of Talks
Each international locations engaged in diplomatic maneuvering this week as they tried to indicate Trump that they’re keen to barter, though he has expressed frustration over the gradual progress and threatened to punish foot-dragging.
On Thursday, Putin spurned a suggestion by Ukrainian chief Volodymyr Zelenskyy to fulfill face-to-face in Turkey. Zelenskyy accused Moscow of not making a critical effort to finish the battle by sending a low-level delegation.
Ukraine has accepted a U.S. and European proposal for a full, 30-day ceasefire, however Putin has successfully rejected it by imposing far-reaching situations.
Commenting on a potential Trump-Putin assembly, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov appeared to point that momentum for such a summit is constructing. He informed reporters that top-level talks had been “definitely wanted,” however added that making ready a summit would take time.
Combating Continues
Meantime, Russian forces are making ready a fresh military offensive, Ukrainian authorities and Western army analysts say.
A Friday morning drone assault on the northeastern Ukrainian metropolis of Kupiansk killed a 55-year-old lady and wounded 4 males, Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Navy Administration, mentioned. All of the victims labored for a municipal utility.
Russia’s invasion has killed greater than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, the U.N. says, and razed cities and villages. Tens of hundreds of Ukrainian troopers have died, and sure a bigger variety of Russian troops, officers and analysts say.
On the battlefield, one Ukrainian soldier mentioned he wasn’t hopeful that the talks would convey a swift finish to the battle.
“I don’t suppose they’ll agree on something concrete, as a result of summer season is one of the best time for battle,” he mentioned, utilizing solely the decision signal “Corsair,” in step with the foundations of the Ukrainian army. “The enemy is making an attempt to continuously escalate the state of affairs.”
However he informed AP that lots of his comrades “imagine that by the top of the yr there will likely be peace, albeit an unstable one, however peace.”
Earlier than the talks started, Ukrainian officers met with nationwide safety advisers from the U.S., France, Germany and the UK to coordinate positions, a senior Ukrainian official informed AP, talking on situation of anonymity to speak about delicate issues.
The U.S. staff was led by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s particular envoy to Ukraine and Russia, whereas Umerov and presidential workplace chief Andriy Yermak represented Ukraine, the official mentioned.
A 3-way assembly between Turkey, the U.S. and Ukraine additionally passed off, Turkish International Ministry officers mentioned. The U.S. facet included Secretary of State Marco Rubio in addition to Kellogg.
On Thursday, Rubio mentioned “we don’t have excessive expectations of what’s going to occur” on the Russia-Ukraine talks.
He mentioned he believed a breakthrough was solely potential is a gathering between Trump and Putin.
Zelenskyy, meantime, was in Tirana, Albania, for a gathering with leaders of 47 European international locations to debate safety, protection and democratic requirements in opposition to the backdrop of the battle.
“If the Russian representatives in Istanbul in the present day can’t even conform to that, to (a) ceasefire, to this clearly essential first step, then will probably be 100% clear that Putin continues to undermine diplomacy,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “If that’s not the case, there have to be not less than some consequence in the present day, beginning with a ceasefire.”
Related Press author Aamer Madhani in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.
Comply with AP’s protection of the battle in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
