Moscow, May 15 (EFE).— Russia’s top negotiator said on Thursday that Moscow seeks a “lasting peace” in Ukraine through revived talks in Istanbul, but emphasized that any resolution must address what the Kremlin calls the original causes of the conflict.
The demand is likely to clash with Kyiv’s position as both sides gear up for renewed diplomacy involving Turkey and the United States.
“The objective of the direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side is to achieve, sooner or later, a lasting peace,” Chief Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said during a brief televised appearance outside the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul.
At the same time, he stressed that the “original causes of the conflict” must be “eliminated” to ensure stability.
“Our delegation is ready to work constructively in the search for possible solutions and points of convergence,” said Medinsky, who serves as an advisor to President Vladimir Putin.
He noted that the talks would be a continuation of those held in March and April 2022, which ultimately collapsed.
Medinsky blamed Ukraine for abandoning the negotiations at the time.
Responding to Kyiv’s criticism about the perceived low rank of Russian negotiators, Medinsky said Moscow’s team had been officially designated by President Putin and had full negotiating authority.
The Russian delegation includes a deputy foreign minister, a deputy defense minister, and a senior officer from the Russian Army’s General Staff.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will lead his country’s delegation in the Istanbul meeting.
“I have decided to send our delegation to Istanbul,” Zelenskyy said at a press conference in the Turkish capital following talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He added that the meeting could take place Thursday or Friday and will include participation from both Turkish and US representatives. EFE
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