Ukraine keeps Russia guessing over participation in June 2 peace talks

Following a call by U.S. President Donald Trump for Moscow and Kyiv to collaborate on a peace agreement to end their three-year war, Russia proposed holding talks with Ukrainian officials in Istanbul next week.

Ukraine responded by reaffirming its general commitment to peace but stated it was still waiting for a memorandum from Russia outlining their proposals. That document, Kyiv said, had yet to be delivered.

“We are open to dialogue, but we need clarity—proposals that are specific and, above all, balanced,” said Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to the Ukrainian president, in remarks aired on national television.

The war, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, is the largest conflict in Europe since World War II.

Expectations for the talks remain low, as the two sides continue to hold widely differing positions and have not yet made meaningful progress toward narrowing those differences.

Nonetheless, both Kyiv and Moscow are eager to show President Trump that they support his initiative to end the war. Ukraine is hoping for increased U.S. military aid, while Russia is seeking a potential loosening of economic sanctions.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Russian delegation would travel to Istanbul and be ready to meet with Ukrainian counterparts on Monday morning.

“Currently, attention is focused on direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. A list of terms for a potential temporary ceasefire is being drafted,” Peskov told reporters.

Earlier in the week, Reuters reported that one of President Vladimir Putin’s key demands for ending the conflict is a written commitment from Western leaders to halt NATO’s eastward expansion.

Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, remarked on Friday that Russia’s concerns about NATO enlargement were valid and stated that the United States does not support Ukraine joining the alliance.

Commenting on Kellogg’s remarks, Peskov said: “We are encouraged that the president’s position is being understood, including in Washington.”

Turkey’s Mediation Role

Turkey, which hosted an earlier round of Ukrainian-Russian talks in Istanbul on May 16 with no breakthrough, has again offered to mediate.

Speaking during a visit to Kyiv, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said: “As long as both parties remain at the negotiating table, progress is always possible.”

If the talks proceed in Istanbul, the next step could be a summit involving Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he added.

However, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, speaking alongside Fidan at a press conference, urged caution.

“For the next planned meeting to be meaningful, it’s crucial that we receive a formal document in advance. This ensures the delegation has the mandate to discuss specific issues,” Sybiha said.

He did not clarify how Ukraine would respond if the Russian proposals failed to arrive or provide a deadline.

“We aim to end this war within the year and are open to a ceasefire—be it 30 days, 50, or 100,” he said.

Later, Ukrainian President Zelensky was shown in a video released by the Turkish foreign ministry meeting and shaking hands with Fidan in Kyiv.

Russia has stated its delegation will be led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, who also headed the Russian team in the previous round of negotiations.