Ukraine demands Zelensky-Putin talks, Russia proposes brief truces
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — Ukraine on Wednesday proposed direct talks within weeks between its President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, but Moscow tempered prospects for progress at a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday.
A Russian negotiator said his country agreed to the latest in a series of prisoner exchanges with Ukraine and proposed brief ceasefires allowing dead and wounded soldiers to be recovered.
Host country Turkey urged steps towards a lasting ceasefire and peace deal, but the Kremlin played down any expectations of a breakthrough after three-and-a-half years of war.
Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, told reporters: “Priority number one is to organise the meeting of the leaders, of presidents”, in comments after the talks.
He said Kyiv had proposed to hold the talks by the end of August, with US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also participating.
Moscow’s lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky told reporters the sides had lengthy discussions but added: “The positions are quite distant. We agreed to continue contacts.”
He said both countries agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners of war each and that Moscow offered to hand Kyiv the bodies of 3,000 killed soldiers.
“We once again proposed to the Ukrainian side… to establish short 24- to 48-hour ceasefires on the line of contact, so that medical teams are able to collect the wounded and so that commanders can come take the bodies of their soldiers,” he added.
The two sides previously met in the Turkish city in May and June, but at those talks managed to agree only on other exchanges of prisoners and soldiers’ bodies.
Trump last week gave Russia 50 days to end the war or face sanctions, but the Kremlin has not indicated it is willing to compromise.
“No one expects an easy road. It will be very difficult,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about his expectations for the talks.
Opening the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said: “Our aim is to end this bloody war, which has a very high cost, as soon as possible.”
He added: “The ultimate goal is a ceasefire that will pave the way for peace.”
A source in the Ukrainian delegation told AFP ahead of the talks: “Everything will depend on whether Russia stops speaking in ultimatums and takes a constructive position.
“This will determine whether results can be achieved at this meeting.”
