Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan held an important phone conversation on Tuesday evening, dedicated to expectations and prospects for future negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul
According to the information provided by the Turkish presidential press service, they exchanged views on the upcoming round of talks scheduled for June 2 and the importance of active diplomatic efforts to achieve stable peace in Ukraine. Sources from "European Pravda" report that during the conversation, Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s support for continuing the negotiation process initiated in Istanbul. The Turkish leader expressed confidence that moving to the second stage of negotiations—discussing a possible ceasefire—is a crucial step toward stabilizing the situation. The communication highlighted the need for delegations from both sides to participate in the planned meeting to preserve and gradually build diplomatic momentum, which could become key to achieving long-awaited peace. Special attention was also paid to the possibility of high-level discussions— involving the leaders of Ukraine and Russia. Erdogan noted that after the scheduled meeting on Monday, June 5, they hope to see a signed document, with which both sides can take steps toward resolving the conflict. According to him, such negotiations "contribute to the continuation of the peace process," and "must be conducted without unnecessary delays, to avoid wasting time and further complicating the situation." The Russian side has also articulated its intentions regarding the Istanbul negotiations. According to official representatives, Moscow intends to present a "memorandum" with proposals related to a ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities. Russia emphasizes that this document will serve as a starting point for diplomatic efforts and, according to officials, will help establish a clearer understanding of possible steps toward peace. At the same time, Kyiv expressed cautious skepticism, emphasizing that for consolidating and achieving real results in future negotiations, Ukraine needs to receive an appropriate Russian "memorandum" in advance. This will allow the Ukrainian delegation to thoroughly review the proposals and determine their negotiation tactics, as well as move more confidently toward a result. It’s evident that the coming days will be decisive for the further dynamics of diplomatic conflict resolution. Preparations for the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, which involve both diplomatic groundwork and the political will of the parties, will be a decisive factor in whether they can find a compromise solution that aligns with Ukraine’s interests and the European community as a whole. The preparations for the high-level meeting and the urgent work of diplomatic structures remain key elements in the search for peace, as all sides understand: delaying and ignoring the negotiation process threatens further escalation of the conflict and even more devastating consequences.