The Kremlin officially announced that the Russian delegation will head to Istanbul on Monday to participate in a new round of negotiations with Ukraine and to present their version of a memorandum
This statement came amid tense diplomatic struggles and growing interest in the possibility of achieving peace on the Ukrainian front. Russian President’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Russian delegation would arrive in Istanbul in the early hours of Monday to begin another round of negotiations with the Ukrainian side. According to him, Russia plans to present its memorandum, but its contents will remain confidential for now. In response to questions about the content of the document and the possibility of making it public, Peskov stated: “Of course, we will not publish it. It should not be made public. Both sides – Russian and Ukrainian – will discuss their draft memorandums at the second round of negotiations, which the Russian delegation will be ready for already on Monday morning in Istanbul.” Details regarding previous agreements and the catalyst for this new round of diplomatic efforts to reach a peace deal emerged the day before. It became known that Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had handed Russia an official document embodying Ukraine’s positions and intentions in this conflict. Russia, in turn, expects a response in the form of its own memorandum, though the details of its contents remain unknown. According to diplomatic sources, this document contains potentially unacceptable provisions for Ukraine, which could delay the negotiation process. Official representatives of the Kremlin and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been cautious about what exactly will be included in these documents. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on any details or conditions that Russia demanded to include in its memorandum, emphasizing that such matters should remain confidential and be discussed only in closed formats so as not to destabilize the negotiation process. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about inconsistencies in Russia’s positions. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgy Tykhiy noted that Russia’s reluctance to officially submit and disclose its memorandum indicates the presence of unrealistic demands within the document. He stated that this approach is a sign of Russia’s attempts to delay the process and negotiate under conditions that are disadvantageous for Ukraine. Ukraine’s top diplomat, Andriy Sybiha, emphasized that Ukraine is ready for further negotiations and aims to achieve stable peace but expects clear and legal guarantees from Moscow. He underscored that Kyiv has agreed on the need for continued discussions and is awaiting Russia’s fulfillment of its promise to provide the full text of the memorandum, which should serve as the basis for further agreements on a ceasefire and conflict resolution in Donbas. Against the background of tension and uncertainty, the negotiation process is once again moving toward a potential compromise, but the key question remains whether the parties will be able to overcome their differences while adhering to minimum conditions for establishing lasting peace. The visit to Istanbul and the presentation of the respective memorandums are expected to become a new pivot point in diplomatic efforts, as their outcomes will influence not only Ukraine’s future but also regional security.