A Ukrainian diplomat confirmed cases of threats from the Russian delegation during negotiations in Istanbul
A unique and tense situation has unfolded in the international negotiations between Ukraine and Russia held in Istanbul. According to Sergey Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Russian representatives proved to be less like genuine interlocutors and more like gangsters protecting their interests behind censorship of threats and ultimatums. Meanwhile, Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, openly issued uncontrollable threats—expressing the possibility of a prolonged war and the occupation of new territories, once again undermining efforts for constructive dialogue. Sergey Kyslytsya, in an interview with Sky News, emphasized that even in the most terrible moments of the negotiations, Russian representatives behaved in an entirely unacceptable manner. "There was a horrifying moment when the Russians began threatening their interlocutors, acting like gangsters—directly, without consideration. Medinsky reported that some participants at the meeting could lose more than just their loved ones, and that Russia is ready to fight forever," the diplomatic circles cite. This message caused considerable concern: it highlights Russia’s complete unpreparedness for compromise and dialogue on the one hand, and reveals a dangerous prospect of endless war driven by the Russian side itself. Additionally, this situation has personal significance for Kyslytsya—his nephew Max died in 2022, defending Ukraine during the early months of the full-scale invasion. This loss deepens the emotional pain and further underscores the unattainability of so-called "negotiated compromises" for Ukraine, given Russia’s behavior. The negotiations in Istanbul themselves, the first in over three years, were extremely tense and filled with unacceptable demands. According to Ukrainian media, the Russian delegation insisted on the immediate withdrawal of all Ukrainian armed forces from the occupied regions of Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia — without any additional conditions. Moscow also demanded recognition of its claims to two more regions, Sumska and Kharkiv, and rejected any form of compensation or reparations. It was also unexpected to hear Vladimir Medinsky openly state Russia’s intention to wage war indefinitely: "We fought Sweden for 21 years. How long are you willing to fight?" he asked emotionally to the Ukrainian side. The focus was again on the threat to seize additional territories, specifically Sumska and Kharkiv regions, which added urgency to this crisis situation. Meanwhile, worldwide discussions continue about the lack of efforts by the United States to initiate active pressure on Vladimir Putin. For example, in a recent interview with U.S. President Donald Trump on Fox News, he was asked ten times whether he could do something to end the war in Ukraine. However, instead, Trump spoke about his "earnings" during his tour of the Persian Gulf, criticized current President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bill Biden, and praised his special envoy Steve Witkoff. This entire performance can be characterized as an attempt to avoid concrete answers, and his line of thinking indicates that a scared Putin should not expect any significant moves from Washington in the near future. The prehistory of this tense period dates back to May 16, when for the first time in over three years, direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul. However, according to diplomatic sources, Russia during the process demanded that Ukrainian representatives exclude the presence of U.S. and other allies’ representatives, and issued a series of ultimatums regarding territorial claims. Its main condition remained the refusal by Ukraine to recognize the occupied regions and to accept any wording related to reparations, which completely eliminates the possibility of reaching a compromise. In conclusion, it is worth emphasizing that this exhausting and contentious situation continues to keep not only Ukraine but also the entire world in suspense. As before, Russian threats and ultimatums threaten escalation, while the pursuit of diplomatic resolution seems increasingly unlikely amid rising distrust in negotiations. And while the world watches this dramatic process, Ukrainian soldiers and diplomats demonstrate resilience and determination to defend their territorial integrity under the most difficult conditions.