Ukraine demands response from Russia to its document on ending conflict: Foreign minister

ISTANBUL

Ukraine demands a response from Russia to a document containing Kyiv’s vision on ending the war which it presented to Moscow ahead of direct peace talks in Istanbul, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said late Tuesday.

On Monday, Istanbul hosted the second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks after the first one which also took place in the Turkish metropolis on May 16. This time, the two sides agreed to exchange more prisoners of war -- focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded -- and return the bodies of 6,000 soldiers from each side.

During the talks, Russia and Ukraine exchanged documents outlining their respective visions on a future peace deal, though Kyiv had provided its draft to the Russian side ahead of the negotiations. Moscow had insisted on sharing its draft at the talks itself.

In a statement on X regarding Ukraine's conclusions on the Istanbul talks, Sybiha said that Moscow continued to not respond to its document, claiming the issue was brought up during the negotiations but that the Russian side did not provide any considerations “neither during the meeting nor after.”

“We demand Russia’s reply. Each day of silence from them proves their wish to continue the war,” Sybiha said, accusing the Russian side of proposing a “set of old ultimatums that do not move the situation any closer to true peace” and “a lack of a constructive approach."

“We welcome the progress in this area (prisoner exchanges), but there could be much more tangible results in all areas if the Russians reciprocated Ukraine’s constructiveness,” he said.

He said that Russia has so far rejected any formats for a ceasefire, which he argued is “sufficient reason for our partners to impose new sanctions on Russia, already now.”

“We must put an end to the killing. And if current meetings fail to produce such a result and advance peace, it becomes increasingly clear that a meeting of leaders is required,” he added.

Russian authorities have not immediately commented on Sybiha’s remarks.