WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
Choose language:
AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who is leading the Kiev delegation at the talks in Istanbul, said that Ukraine is ready for direct negotiations at the highest level and an unconditional ceasefire. Umerov stressed that peace can only be achieved if Russia shows readiness for concrete steps, including at least a 30-day ceasefire, the return of forcibly deported children and an “all-for-all” exchange of prisoners.
He added that Ukraine’s position is aligned with key allies, including the United States, Great Britain, France and Germany, and that Kiev continues to fight for a just and lasting peace.
At the same time, a Russian delegation led by Putin’s advisor Vladimir Medinsky has arrived for the talks, while Ukraine accuses Russia of undermining the process by setting new conditions and demanding the exclusion of the United States and Turkey from the talks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a meeting between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump was necessary, but that careful preparation was needed.
The talks in Istanbul are the first direct meeting between Russia and Ukraine since the conflict began in 2022, but the prospects for progress remain uncertain.
Announcement of today's meeting
Turkish diplomats will participate in two trilateral meetings in Istanbul today, as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources confirmed to Reuters. The meetings include direct talks between Ukraine and Russia.
According to the agency, a meeting of Turkish, US and Ukrainian officials is planned first, while talks between the Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian delegations will then take place at 11:30 Central European Time.
The Ukrainian delegation is led by the defense minister, while the Russian team will be headed by Putin's adviser, Vladimir Medinsky.
Sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed Turkey's participation in both meetings, noting that they are sticking to the previously announced dates and composition of the delegations.
President Vladimir Putin will not be coming to Istanbul, but has sent, according to analysts, a second-tier delegation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Kiev delegation will be led by the defense minister.
Hopes for possible progress were further dampened on Thursday, after former US President Donald Trump said that no progress could be expected without his direct meeting with Putin. A similar view was expressed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told reporters in Antalya that Washington "does not have high expectations" for the meetings in Istanbul.
Zelensky criticized Putin's absence, calling the Russian delegation "decor", and assessing that such a move shows that Moscow is not taking the negotiations seriously. Russia, on the other hand, accused Ukraine of trying to "put on a show" around the talks.
“We cannot go around the world looking for Putin,” Zelensky said after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Putin “must bear the consequences for avoiding peace,” ahead of a meeting of the European Political Community to be held in Albania on Friday.
Pope Leo offers to mediate in negotiations
Pope Leo offers to mediate to help bring peace to Ukraine
Italy’s RAI reported, citing Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, that Pope Leo is ready to mediate between Kiev and Moscow to ensure peace in Ukraine.
Parolin said on Friday that the pope could be available for a meeting between the conflicting parties, to meet and “at least talk,” RAI reported.
The Holy See could be “a very appropriate place,” Parolin added.
Pope Leo said today that “the Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies face to face, to talk, so that peoples around the world can find hope again and regain the dignity they deserve – the dignity of peace.”
Negotiations concluded
The Turkish Foreign Ministry told Reuters that the talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul had concluded.
These were the first direct talks between the two countries since early 2022, immediately after Russia launched its major invasion.
Zelensky: Our absolute priority is a ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during talks with Russia in Istanbul that his “absolute priority is a complete, unconditional and sincere ceasefire,” as the first steps towards a possible peace agreement.
“This must happen immediately, in order to stop the killing and create a solid basis for diplomacy,” he said.
"And if the Russian representatives in Istanbul today cannot agree even on that – on a ceasefire – then it will be absolutely clear that Putin continues to undermine every diplomatic effort," he added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Fidan: Today there are two paths - one leads to peace, the other brings more destruction
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke briefly at the start of trilateral talks with Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. The images from the meeting were clear: a line of Russian delegates in dark suits, and Ukrainians in green camouflage uniforms on one side.
“Today there are two paths: one leads to peace, and the other brings more destruction and loss of life. Both sides will choose which path to take,” Fidan told the negotiating teams.
“The fact that we hosted both sides shows our strong will to end the war,” he said.
“We have an opportunity to end the war… to start on the path of peace, we must seize this opportunity. Every day brings new victims. While the war is taking lives, it is extremely important that a ceasefire happens as soon as possible.”
