Ukraine to outline peace roadmap at Istanbul talks, document reveals

Ukraine roadmap includes 30-day ceasefire, release of all POWs, negotiations involving US and Europe, meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy - document seen by Reuters

Ukraine has outlined a comprehensive roadmap for peace, including a 30-day ceasefire, the release of all prisoners of war (POWs), and negotiations involving the United States and Europe. The document, seen by Reuters, also proposes a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This roadmap comes amidst ongoing peace talks and recent escalations in the conflict.

The 30-day ceasefire, a key component of the roadmap, aims to provide a temporary respite from the fighting. This period would allow for the release of POWs and the resumption of diplomatic efforts. The ceasefire is part of Ukraine's broader strategy to end the conflict through negotiations and international cooperation.

The roadmap also emphasizes the need for multilateral negotiations involving the United States and European countries. This approach seeks to leverage the collective influence of these powers to pressure Russia into a more favorable peace agreement. The document calls for a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy to facilitate direct talks and address the core issues of the conflict.

The peace talks have been ongoing, with the latest round taking place in Istanbul on May 16. These talks have resulted in a prisoner exchange, with a total of 1,000 prisoners from each side being released. However, the talks have not yet led to a significant breakthrough in the conflict. The upcoming talks in Istanbul are expected to build on the progress made in the previous round and explore further avenues for a lasting peace.

Recent developments in the conflict have underscored the urgency of finding a diplomatic solution. On May 30, Romania issued an air alert due to a Russian drone attack on Ukraine. The alert, which lasted for 90 minutes, highlighted the ongoing threat posed by the conflict to neighboring countries. Despite this, the Romanian government has emphasized its commitment to maintaining a neutral stance in the conflict.

The roadmap also addresses the issue of arms exports to Ukraine. Russia has accused Serbia of supplying arms to Ukraine, alleging that these supplies are reaching Ukrainian forces through NATO intermediaries. While Serbia has denied these accusations, the issue has contributed to further tensions in the conflict. The roadmap does not explicitly address this issue but underscores the need for international cooperation to prevent the escalation of the conflict.

The roadmap reflects Ukraine's determination to end the conflict through diplomatic means. However, the success of this roadmap will depend on the willingness of all parties involved to engage in meaningful negotiations and make compromises. The upcoming talks in Istanbul will be a crucial test of this willingness.

References:
[1] https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3998722-romania-issues-air-alert-due-to-russian-drone-attack-on-ukraine.html
[2] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/ceasefire-hopes-dim-as-ukraine-criticises-russias-lack-of-proposals-before-istanbul-talks/articleshow/121532872.cms
[3] https://trt.global/world/article/75ae76f6ec0c
[4] https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3440480-serbian-arms-exports-a-slavic-rift-in-the-ukraine-conflict