Kyiv/Moscow, June 3(HS): The second round of talks between Kyiv and Moscow did not resolve the ongoing invasion of Ukraine but clarified each side's demands. Leading up to the Monday meeting, both parties planned to present their peace memorandums. Ukraine submitted its document before the meeting, while Russia did so during the discussions in Istanbul. Similar to previous negotiations, an agreement was reached for a prisoner exchange involving young soldiers aged 18-25 and seriously ill POWs, along with a plan to exchange the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers from each side.
Reports indicate that the heads of the delegations held a separate prolonged meeting, which was seen as a step towards more effective negotiations. Ukraine's key demands include an immediate ceasefire as the prerequisite for further peace discussions, alongside the reciprocal exchange of POWs and the return of abducted children. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that Ukraine provided a list of several hundred forcefully deported children.
Umerov emphasized the importance of pursuing a leadership-level meeting, possibly involving US President Donald Trump, suggesting it be scheduled for late June to facilitate the negotiation process. Additionally, Ukraine’s memorandum highlights its intention to pursue EU membership and potentially join NATO if all members agree, requesting security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression and calling for international involvement in obtaining these guarantees.
Ukraine is reportedly open to a gradual lifting of certain sanctions against Russia, with provisions for their renewal if necessary. Russia has proposed a partial ceasefire along specific frontline areas within a two-part peace memorandum. The first part addresses negotiation terms, while the second part suggests a two to three-day ceasefire during talks. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, mentioned an upcoming prisoner exchange, citing a list of 339 names of Ukrainian children returned by Ukraine.
Medinsky accused Kyiv of using the issue of deported children for sympathy, claiming Ukraine's tactics are emotional manipulation. Official Ukrainian data indicates that about 20,000 children are illegally deported to Russia, while Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab estimates the number at up to 35,000. Russia has asserted that this could be as high as 700,000.
For a full ceasefire, Russia demands Ukraine withdraw from four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, which Moscow asserts as annexed territories. Furthermore, Russia seeks international recognition of these occupied areas, including Crimea. Under the proposed ceasefire conditions, all Western arms supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine would need to cease. Russia also requires Ukraine to lift martial law and conduct elections prior to finalizing any peace agreement.
Recent developments include an attack by Ukraine resulting in damage to Russian missile carriers, influencing Russia's demands to prevent further Ukrainian sabotage and subversive actions against Russia during negotiations held in Istanbul following these events.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
