Russia to present peace memorandum at June 2 Istanbul talks
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The memorandum is expected to include proposed timelines for a ceasefire, conditions for Ukrainian neutrality, and stipulations on future military activity—particularly concerning NATO.
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In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, May 19, 2025, A Russian Army soldier controls an area from a board of military helicopter in an undisclosed location in Ukraine (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
Russia has confirmed that a second round of direct negotiations with Ukraine will take place in Istanbul on June 2, with Moscow set to present a comprehensive peace memorandum outlining its terms for resolving the ongoing conflict.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced Wednesday that the Russian delegation, headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, is ready to hand over the document and explain its provisions during the talks. "The Russian side, as agreed, has promptly developed a relevant memorandum, which sets out our position on all aspects of reliably overcoming the root causes of the crisis," Lavrov said. "Our delegation, headed by Vladimir Medinsky, is ready to present this memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and give the necessary explanations during the second round of resumed direct talks in Istanbul next Monday, June 2."
Peace Conditions
The memorandum is expected to include proposed timelines for a ceasefire, conditions for Ukrainian neutrality, and stipulations on future military activity—particularly concerning NATO. According to sources cited by Reuters, Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking a written guarantee halting NATO expansion, particularly excluding Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova from future membership. Additionally, Moscow is demanding partial sanctions relief, the unfreezing of Russian assets, and protections for Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine.
This diplomatic effort follows recent phone consultations between Putin and US President Donald Trump, during which Putin reportedly expressed readiness to engage on a peace framework. Lavrov has been providing regular updates on the memorandum's development, while Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that the document remains a work in progress but will be ready for presentation on June 2.
The talks also come on the heels of the largest prisoner exchange since the war began, with both sides releasing 1,000 detainees in mid-May. A second phase of exchanges took place on May 23, involving an additional 390 prisoners. While these moves have been welcomed as confidence-building steps, broader negotiations remain fragile.
Fragile Diplomacy
Ukraine, supported by its Western allies, continues to insist on a ceasefire as a prerequisite for any serious settlement discussion. Kiev has firmly rejected Russian demands for troop withdrawals from annexed territories or limitations on its future NATO alignment. European and US officials have expressed concern that Moscow is using diplomacy as a delaying tactic while continuing its military operations.
Meanwhile, tensions are escalating as Washington considers lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russian territory—a shift that would bring the US into alignment with the UK, France, and Germany. Kremlin officials have warned that such a move would mark a dangerous escalation and could undermine ongoing peace efforts.
Lavrov, in his statement, expressed gratitude to Turkey for hosting the talks and called on other international actors to support the renewed peace initiative. "Moscow expects those interested in the success of the peace process to support a new round of Russian-Ukrainian talks," he said.
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