Russia and Ukraine are now taking steps towards peace after a long battle. The two-round conversation was almost successful and now Kremlin hopes that the third round of Russia-Ukraine talks may be set soon.
Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov said that we hope that it will be agreed soon. He reiterated that the program of talks can be decided only with the consent of both sides.
Peskov clarified that no fixed date has been fixed yet and this process is based on mutual consent. He said, ‘This is a mutual process.’ According to a Kremlin spokesperson, the speed of the next dialogue process depends on Kiev rule and the US efforts to mediate. He said, ‘The ground reality cannot be ignored and it is necessary to keep in mind.’
In the first meeting between Russia-Ukraine, the exchange of prisoners was agreed, while in the second meeting, the return of the bodies of 6000 Ukrainian soldiers, the sick and the exchange of prisoners under 25 years of age was agreed.
The first round of talks took place in Istanbul on 16 May, while in the second round, there was talk between the two countries in Turki on June 2. In the last meeting, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustom Umrov had proposed that the third meeting should be held in the last week of June, but these talks could not be held.
Despite the consent on June 2, the Russian media reported that the Kremlin had made two proposals for the ceasefire, demanding the Ukrainian Army to withdraw from four regions (Donatsk, Luhansk, Kherason and Japorizia), which Russia considers its part. Apart from this, the condition of holding a presidential election in Ukraine was placed within 100 days.
Ukraine President Volodimir Jailonsky is calling these demands contrary to the intention of peace. New sanctions were demanded on their behalf. Jailonsky believes that these demands are actually the conditions of surrendering Ukraine, which they will not accept.
The Chief of Staff Andrei Yermak of Jailonsky insisted, ‘Russia is making every effort to stop the ceasefire and continue the war. Now it is necessary to impose new restrictions.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavarov commented that the solution of war in Ukraine is to eliminate the root cause of struggle. He said that Russia is ready to stop the fight. On the other hand, Turkia President Rechpe Tayyip Erdogan assured that he is in touch with US President Donald Trump and both are willing to participate in the talks.