Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on June 27 at a press conference in Minsk that he is ready to hold a new round of negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul. He emphasized that although the views between the two countries are opposing, there is a possibility of finding a common solution.
What could the negotiations start with?
According to Putin, the main topic of discussion will be the memorandums exchanged between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides have put forward their conditions for a ceasefire. Ukraine demands a 30-day ceasefire without any conditions, while Russia is setting several conditions.
What was Ukraine's response?
Kiev and some members of the European Union do not believe that Russia is entering these negotiations with genuine intentions. They accuse Russia of conducting negotiations not for peace, but to distract from the administration of US President Donald Trump.
What humanitarian statement did Putin make?
The Russian leader stated that he is ready to return an additional 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers' bodies, in addition to the 6,000 military bodies previously handed over to Kyiv. However, Ukrainian officials have noted that there were also Russian soldiers among the previous handovers – it is unclear whether this was a mistake or an oversight.
What did he say about Trump?
Putin expressed respect for US President Donald Trump, stating that he believes Trump's intentions to end the war in Ukraine are sincere. He also noted that Moscow is ready to hold a meeting with Trump.
How are Russia-US relations progressing?
According to Putin, relations between the two countries have begun to normalize gradually. Currently, working contacts have been restored between foreign policy agencies and special services.
Conclusion:
The latest statements from Minsk indicate that Russia is officially open to negotiations, but time will show how effective this will be in practice. Now all eyes are on the potential third round of negotiations in Istanbul.
