Direct negotiations in Istanbul: Hope for ceasefire for Ukraine
Direct negotiations in Istanbul: Hope for ceasefire for Ukraine
Istanbul, Türkei - For the first time in three years, direct discussions between Ukrainian and Russian representatives are taking place in Istanbul about the Ukraine War. vienna.at reports that the Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan opened the meeting that was broadcast live. Before these talks, consultations between the United States, Ukraine and Turkey had already taken place. These discussions mark the first direct negotiations of the warring parties since 2022 and are significant because a ceasefire has a high priority for Ukraine.
Insider information indicates that "confidence -building measures" are required, including the return of Ukrainian children and the exchange of prisoners of war. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerow, is also planning to discuss a meeting between President Wolodymyr Selenskyj and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. However, the Ukrainian side is surprised that Putin does not take part in the conversations, which dampens expectations for essential progress.
negotiations in Riad
In the meantime, talks are held in Saudi Arabia, especially in the Ritz-Carlton-Hotel in Riad, about a limited ceasefire between the USA, Russia and Ukraine. Tagesschau emphasizes that this negotiation round aims above all to stop the attacks on energy facilities and civilian infrastructures as well as a fire break in the Black Sea achieve.Russian spokesman Dmitri Peskow emphasized the security of shipping as the main concern, while the American negotiator Grigori karassin speaks of “creative” progress. The Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerow describes the talks with the USA as constructive. In principle, both sides have spoken out for limited ceasefire, but there are considerable differences in protected goals.
President Selenskyj has also demanded that railways and ports are also included in the protection of the ceasefire. On the Russian side, on the other hand, Putin makes full ceasefire dependent on a stop of the arms deliveries and a suspension of mobilization. Despite these challenges, the conflict continues its course, as recent reports on attacks and countermas.
international reactions
The international reactions to the negotiations are divided. Deutschlandfunk informed that US President Donald Trump and Putin agreed on March 18, 2025 to protect the energy infrastructure. However, neither Russia nor Ukraine were reported to this agreement during the talks.
To support the peace process, Selenskyj encouraged to include European partners. At the same time, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new sanction package against Russia, which also complicated the situation. While the United States is releasing its military aid and passing on intelligence information to Ukraine, Moscow remains with his demands, which, among other things, rule out NATO accession to Ukraine.
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| Ort | Istanbul, Türkei |
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