Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine to Kiev air raid

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine to Kiev air raid

On Monday, Russian and Ukrainian delegates in Istanbul meet for their second direct peace talks, only one day after Kiev started a surprising drone attack on Russia's nuclear -armed bomber. This attack, which President Wolodymyr Selenskyj described as one and a half years in the planning, could be crucial for the course of the conflict.

background of the peace talks

After the first round of talks in the Turkish city last month - the first between the warfare countries since Russia in early 2022 - both sides agreed to share their conditions for a complete ceasefire and a potentially permanent peace. Selenskyj said on Sunday that Ukraine Moscow had presented its "logical and realistic" demands, but so far Russia had not presented a corresponding memorandum.

reactions to the drone attack

"We don't have it," said Selenskyj. "The Turkish side does not have it, and the American side does not have the Russian document either." Despite these ambiguities, Ukraine is determined to at least make some progress towards peace. It remains to be seen whether the daring air raid on Sunday will pave the way to peace or rather make obstacles. Kiev has long tried to make it clear to the Kremlin that it has a cost to extend the conflict. However, some analysts warn that this attack - the Russian air farms hit thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border - could only strengthen Moscow's resistance.

Details of the attack

The use with the code name "Spider Netz" is one of the most important strokes that Ukraine Russia has added to in more than three years of full war. The Ukrainian secret service SBU said that the drones were smuggled to Russia, hidden in motorhomes that were mounted on truck. The roofs were then openly opened to start the drones and their attacks on four Russian air farms to steer across the wide country.

consequences of the attack

WASSIL Malyuk, the head of the SBU, stated that the attack caused damage of an estimated $ 7 billion and 34 % of the strategic marching aircraft bodies of Russia-a total of 41 aircraft. These goals were "completely legitimate", says Malyuk, and this emphasized that Russia had used the planes throughout the conflict to bomb the "peaceful cities" of Ukraine.

morale in Ukraine

The attack has significantly strengthened morality in Ukraine, which has been exposed to violent bombing by Russia since the beginning of the peace talks in mid -May and is preparing for an expected summer offensive. According to the Ukrainian official bodies, Moscow started 472 drone attacks on Ukraine on Sunday night, only hours before the Ukrainian attack.

outlook for the conversations in Istanbul

At a summit in Lithuania, an optimistic Selenskyj said that the operation had proven that Ukraine had "stronger tactical solutions" than Russia. "This is a special moment - on the one hand Russia started its summer offensive, but on the other hand, they are forced to enter diplomacy," said Selenskyj.

challenges for the negotiations

The talks in Istanbul are a test for how serious this diplomatic commitment is. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin had proposed to have “direct talks” with Ukraine in Turkey, but had not appeared, although Selenskyj had agreed to meet. Ultimately, Moscow only sent a low -level delegation for negotiation.

international reactions

In a further expression of his frustration about the war he wanted to end within a day, US President Donald Trump said last week that Putin had "gone absolutely crazy" after Moscow had started the greatest air raid in the war. Trump has often warned Russia and Ukraine that there will be consequences if they do not participate in his peace process, but has so far resisted the increasing demands of deputies from his Republican party to take action to put Putin under pressure

Selenskyj noticed in Lithuania that, if the meeting on Monday, “does not do anything, means that new strong sanctions are urgently required.”