Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov has announced the transfer of a secret document to Russia that reflects Ukraine’s official position regarding possible de-escalation pathways of the war
According to the official, Kyiv will wait for an appropriate “memorandum” from the Russian delegation, considering it an important component of future negotiations. At the same time, the Russian side, which has been delaying the submission of its official documents, has at least four days to process and send a response, Umerov reported on Facebook. According to the minister, the Ukrainian delegation provided Russia with a specific document during the meeting in Istanbul, outlining Ukraine's official proposals and conditions for a ceasefire. It turned out, however, that Russian representatives attempted to delay the process of transferring this important document, creating additional time for reflection and possible correction of their position. Nevertheless, pressure from the Ukrainian side prompted the Russians to adhere to the agreement and deliver their response. In this context, the Minister noted that after receiving the “memorandum” from Russia, Ukraine views it as an important step toward the possible end of the war. The Ukrainian side does not oppose holding further meetings and is even ready for additional rounds of negotiations. Umerov emphasized that Kyiv seeks constructive dialogue and considers each meeting an important tool on the path to peace. Such openness and readiness to dialogue demonstrate the Ukrainian government’s willingness to seek compromises; however, emphasis is also placed on the need for concrete actions from the Russian Federation. The Minister expressed confidence that Russia has no more than a few days to submit an official response, after which the Ukrainian government intends to begin analytical work on the received documents. He also recalled that the Russian delegation has already confirmed its readiness for further negotiations and proposed to hold a second round of talks already on June 2. Rustem Umerov stated that the Ukrainian side has always held and continues to hold a constructive position in diplomatic negotiations: “We believe in the possibilities of negotiations, and every meeting should be filled with concrete content and results.” The minister called on the Russian Federation to immediately fulfill its promise to transfer the “memorandum” and to cease any attempts to make the negotiation process uninformative or destructive. At the same time, he emphasized that Ukraine is ready to continue the diplomatic path and diligently work to ensure that every step brings the country closer to long-lasting peace.