Russia signals readiness for new Ukraine talks as Kyiv accuses Moscow of stalling peace process

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has announced that Moscow is prepared to take part in a second round of negotiations with Ukraine scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul. However, Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of deliberately stalling the peace process ahead of the upcoming discussions.

Speaking at a joint press briefing in Kyiv with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine’s willingness to continue talks in Turkey. He added, however, that Kyiv is still awaiting a Russian memorandum outlining a potential ceasefire framework—an item Ukraine expects to receive before the meeting.

“We are still waiting for the Russian side to deliver the memorandum they promised. It was also pledged to the American side,” Sybiha stated.

Earlier this month, representatives from both nations met in Istanbul for the first time since March 2022, shortly after Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine. The May 16 talks, held under pressure from US President Donald Trump to end the largest European conflict since World War II, failed to produce a ceasefire agreement despite Kyiv’s appeals and backing from Western nations. Moscow insisted that certain prerequisites must be fulfilled before a ceasefire could be discussed.

Lavrov emphasised in a statement that those who genuinely support the peace process should endorse the continuation of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul.

Following a phone call with President Trump on May 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Moscow’s readiness to engage with Ukraine on drafting a memorandum aimed at laying the groundwork for a potential peace deal.

On Wednesday, Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia’s negotiation team, posted on Telegram that he had contacted Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to suggest a time and location for the next session.

“We are ready, right there and then, to begin serious and detailed discussions on all elements of the proposed ceasefire agreement,” Medinsky stated, noting that Russia is now awaiting a formal response from Ukraine.

In a separate comment, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said both countries had agreed to develop and exchange their respective proposals concerning the “modalities of settlement and ceasefire” at the upcoming round of negotiations.