Lavrov: Zelensky's legitimacy will be fundamental in signing peace agreement - Tass

Lavrov: Zelensky's legitimacy will be fundamental in signing peace agreement - Tass

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have yet to yield concrete results. A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that no further peace negotiations have been scheduled, despite renewed diplomacy [1].

The latest developments come amidst continued Russian strikes in the Donetsk region, which have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. On May 22, Russian attacks on the Ukrainian town of Kostyantynivka and the village of Rayhorodok left two people dead and two others wounded [1].

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that a bilateral memorandum could be a possibility, but emphasized that the potential prisoner exchange agreed upon in Istanbul talks is the only real result so far [1].

Meanwhile, the first direct peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow in over three years are taking place in Istanbul. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, is meeting with a Russian delegation led by Vladimir Putin's adviser Vladimir Medinsky [2].

Zelenskyy has reiterated that peace is possible only if Russia agrees to a 30-day ceasefire, the return of abducted Ukrainian children, and the exchange of all prisoners of war. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed calls for a 30-day ceasefire and proposed direct peace talks with Kyiv on May 15 [2].

Foreign ministers and officials from Turkey, the United States, and Ukraine have discussed the importance of seeking a peaceful end to the war. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have called for increased pressure on Russia until it is ready for peace [2].

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Zelensky's legitimacy will be fundamental in signing a peace agreement. Lavrov's remarks underscore the importance of Zelenskyy's position in the ongoing negotiations [3].

References:
[1] https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-peace-talks-donetsk-war/33421473.html
[2] https://www.belganewsagency.eu/ukrainian-and-russian-officials-begin-first-direct-peace-talks-in-three-years
[3] https://tass.com/russia/1460999