Russia officially proposed to Ukraine to hold another round of negotiations in Istanbul as early as June 2
This initiative was announced by Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who emphasized that Moscow aims to continue dialogue in search of a path toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict. According to Lavrov, the Russian side has already "operatively" developed a detailed memorandum that clearly outlines its position on all aspects necessary to address the root causes of the conflict and establish the foundations for long-term peace. Lavrov noted that the Russian delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Medinsky, is prepared to present this document to the Ukrainian side during the planned second round of negotiations in Istanbul. He stated that the format of these efforts envisions not only discussing current issues but also conducting a deep, systemic work on key questions underlying the conflict. The official proposal represents another step in the diplomatic process that has been ongoing for several months with interruptions. Moscow officials assert that this meeting can be considered a potential turning point for initiating serious negotiations capable of ending military confrontation and returning the situation to a diplomatic track. The Ukrainian side is currently refraining from official comments regarding the details of the proposal or possible negotiation formats, but actively discusses this information at the government level. It is expected that additional statements and conditions will emerge from Ukraine prior to the scheduled meeting, which will outline the further course of the diplomatic process. Overall, this initiative by Russia elicits mixed reactions in political circles and expert environments. On one hand, it is an attempt to steer the situation back into diplomatic channels and find a peaceful solution; on the other hand, many analysts and politicians emphasize the difficulty of implementing such plans, given the prolongation of the conflict and the lack of trust between the parties. In general, the events surrounding the possible negotiations in Istanbul in June have become one of the main topics of discussion at Ukrainian and international levels, raising hopes for a new phase in the search for peace, but also concerns about the realism of such plans in the near future.