Media reports say the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine are set to cross paths in Antalya, Turkey, the most senior officials to hold in-person talks since the so-called military operation began in Ukraine.
The Bloomberg says Thursday’s meeting comes as both sides repeat their demands in order to call a halt to the fighting.
Moscow has said it wants the demilitarization of Ukraine and the recognition of separatist territories as independent. It has periodically called for regime change in Kiev.
Ukraine’s three key demands for Thursday’s meeting with Russia are a cease-fire, an improvement of the humanitarian situation in besieged cities, and the withdrawal of Russian forces from the country.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has again said he’s willing to consider some compromises, but Ukraine has ruled out ceding any territory and is pushing for security guarantees from the U.S. and Germany, alongside European Union membership, all of which could be unacceptable for Russia in terms of Ukrainian “neutrality”.
Zelenskiy also said there’s been no direct contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and “only after the direct talks between the two presidents can we end this war.”
A statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu before the talks with Russia’s Sergei Lavrov, and sees Ukraine’s negotiating position as “strong.”
Russia has said it won’t entertain a cease-fire without Ukraine meeting some of its own demands, let alone agree to a troop pullout.
