CITIZENS NEWS

Ukraine demands Russia’s ceasefire terms before committing to Istanbul peace talks as tensions escalate

By isabelle // 2025-05-30

• Ukraine and Russia prepare for Istanbul peace talks, but Kyiv demands Moscow reveal ceasefire terms before confirming attendance.
• Turkey proposes a high-level summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, but Russia rejects it, insisting on bilateral progress first.
• Ukraine accuses Russia of stalling and hiding unrealistic demands, refusing to send a delegation without prior disclosure of Moscow’s proposal.
• The U.S. sends mixed signals, with Trump’s envoy acknowledging Russia’s NATO concerns while Western frustration grows over continued Russian battlefield gains.
• Monday’s talks could lead to a temporary truce or collapse, with Ukraine pushing for an unconditional ceasefire and Russia demanding concessions on NATO and territory.

As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fourth year, a fragile diplomatic effort to broker a temporary ceasefire hangs in the balance. Russia and Ukraine are set to meet in Istanbul on Monday for a second round of peace talks, but Kyiv is refusing to confirm its attendance until Moscow reveals its proposed terms. The Kremlin has already confirmed its delegation will attend, yet Ukraine remains skeptical, accusing Russia of stalling and hiding unrealistic demands behind closed doors. Meanwhile, Turkey has floated the idea of a high-level summit involving U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a proposal Moscow swiftly rejected, insisting bilateral progress must come first. The upcoming Istanbul negotiations mark the second attempt this month to establish a temporary truce, following a May 16 meeting that ended without a breakthrough. While both sides agreed to a prisoner exchange—the largest since the war began—Ukraine criticized Russia for sending a low-level delegation with no authority to sign binding agreements. This time, Kyiv is taking no chances. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated Friday that Ukraine will not send a delegation unless Russia provides its ceasefire proposal in advance. "For a meeting to be meaningful, its agenda must be clear, and the negotiations must be properly prepared," President Zelenskyy wrote on social media. "Unfortunately, Russia is doing everything it can to ensure that the next potential meeting brings no results." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia’s delegation is ready to negotiate but refused to disclose details of its draft agreement. "At the moment, everyone is focused on the direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations. A list of conditions for a temporary truce is being developed," Peskov told reporters. He emphasized that the memorandum’s contents would remain confidential in a stance that has only deepened Ukraine’s distrust.

Turkey’s high-stakes diplomacy

Amid the standoff, Turkey has emerged as a key mediator, proposing a bold next step: a trilateral summit between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the idea Friday, calling it a natural progression after the Istanbul talks. But the Kremlin quickly dismissed the proposal, insisting that Russia and Ukraine must first make progress on their own. "First, results must be achieved through direct negotiations between the two countries," Peskov responded. The rejection underscores Moscow’s reluctance to engage in high-profile diplomacy without guarantees in a stance that aligns with its long-standing demands, including Ukraine’s neutrality, territorial concessions, and an end to NATO expansion.

U.S. weighs in as battlefield tensions rise

As diplomatic wrangling continues, the U.S. has sent mixed signals about its role in the peace process. Retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, acknowledged Friday that Russia’s concerns about NATO’s eastward expansion were "fair" and stated that Washington does not support Ukraine joining the alliance. Peskov welcomed Kellogg’s remarks, saying, "We are pleased that these explanations by the president are understood, including in Washington. And, of course, this is quite appealing to us in terms of the mediating role that Washington continues to play." Yet frustration is growing in Western capitals over Russia’s battlefield aggression. Just hours before the talks were announced, Russian forces claimed to have seized another village in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region in a clear signal that Moscow is negotiating from a position of strength. Zelenskyy warned that any pause in Western pressure would embolden the Kremlin. "Talks of pauses in pressure or easing of sanctions are perceived in Moscow as a political victory—and only encourage further attacks and continued disregard for diplomacy," he posted on social media.

A make-or-break moment

With Ukraine demanding transparency and Russia refusing to show its hand, Monday’s talks could either pave the way for de-escalation or collapse before they begin. Kyiv insists on an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, a proposal first floated by Trump, while Moscow insists any truce must address its "root causes," including NATO’s presence near its borders. Will Russia and Ukraine finally take a step toward peace, or will this latest effort join the graveyard of failed ceasefires? Sources for this article include: YourNews.com Reuters.com BBC.com AlJazeera.com

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