The second round / day of Ukrainian and Russian talks begins in Istanbul

As in previous talks in the middle of May, the Ukrainian negotiating delegation is led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the Russian delegation, Vladimir Putin’s assistant, Vladimir Medinsky.

Ukraine is not going to agree to become a neutral country and to give up the possibility of joining NATO, according to Ukraine’s proposals at Reuters, which the Kiev delegation plans to submit to Istanbul on Monday in negotiations with Russia.

The document section on the principles of negotiations specifies the need for a complete and unconditional ceasefire in the air, on land and at the sea for at least 30 days. Conditioning would monitor the US in the participation of third countries.

The text mentions Ukraine’s refusal to be a neutral country and is expected to join Ukraine in the European Union and NATO. Ukraine is also not ready to agree to restrictions on the size of its army and its deployment, as well as the presence of foreign troops in the country.

The document states that the international community will not recognize the territory of Ukraine occupied by Russia as part of Ukraine and that territorial issues can only be discussed in the context of a complete ceasefire.

Kijiva admits that some sanctions imposed on Russia could be gradually lifted, but by providing a mechanism to restore sanctions if necessary. The frozen Russian state should be actively used for the renovation of Ukraine or remain frozen until reparation is paid, emphasized in the document.

It also states that both parties must exchange all prisoners of war and return to the children deported to Russia.

Russia has promised to submit its memorandum with proposals to Ukraine in negotiations in Istanbul on Monday. The media reports that Moscow is preparing to make Kijiva’s proposals for Ukraine’s abandonment of NATO and neutrality, as well as the recognition of Russian rights to Crimea and Luhansk, Donecka, Zaporizia and Kherson.

On May 28, Umerov announced that Ukraine had fulfilled its share of the agreements reached during the first meeting in Istanbul on May 16 and transferred a document to Russia, which reflects Ukraine’s position on the ceasefire terms, but the Russian side is delaying the implementation of the agreement.