Ukraine Awaits Russia's Memorandum for Ceasefire Talks

Ukraine has submitted a ceasefire document to Russia, urging the latter to promptly submit a "memorandum" in response. According to the process, Russia has four days to submit the document to Ukraine for handling. Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that as of now, Russia has not submitted the "memorandum" to Ukraine. Ukraine has clearly indicated its readiness for a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire and is actively pursuing further diplomatic efforts. Ukraine does not object to meeting with Russia but hopes that Russia will quickly produce a "memorandum" to ensure that subsequent meetings have substantive content and genuinely contribute to ending the war.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also spoke out on the 28th through social media, questioning Russia's delay in submitting the relevant "memorandum." He stated that if Russia has already drafted the "memorandum," it could be submitted immediately and there is no need to wait until next Monday (June 2).

Earlier on the 28th, the head of the Russian delegation to the Ukraine talks, Vladimir Medinsky, stated that he had spoken with Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. Regarding the exchange of the memorandum for mediating the conflict, Russia has recently proposed specific times and locations to Ukraine, which Ukraine has agreed to discuss. He also stated that Russia is willing to engage in specific and substantive discussions on every aspect of achieving a comprehensive ceasefire agreement in the future.

Medinsky also mentioned that Russia is currently awaiting Ukraine's response. The Russian representatives are willing to meet with Ukraine on the date set by Russia and begin work. Additionally, Russia announced that the second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will be held on June 2 in Istanbul. According to a statement issued by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the same day, the head of the Russian delegation remains Vladimir Medinsky. The statement also mentioned that Russia has completed the drafting of the memorandum on achieving peace, and Medinsky's delegation will hand over the memorandum to Ukraine and provide necessary explanations.

Following Lavrov's announcement, it was reported that Lavrov spoke with Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on the 28th, and the two discussed the Ukraine issue. Çavuşoğlu stated that Turkey is fully prepared to host the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul on June 2. Additionally, Çavuşoğlu will visit Ukraine from May 29 to 30, although the specific details and schedule of the visit have not been disclosed.