Ukrainian Attack on Bombers Undermines Truce Talks in Turkey
The second round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul lasted under an hour, overshadowed by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian bombers. Despite a tense atmosphere, the talks resulted in an agreement for a new prisoner exchange and plans for future discussions. The negotiations revealed significant discrepancies in each side’s stance on ceasefire terms, reflecting ongoing complexities in the conflict.
The second session of peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul wrapped up surprisingly quickly on Monday, taking less than an hour after Ukrainian forces struck Russian nuclear-capable bombers just a day beforehand. This round of talks was already delayed nearly two hours without any explanation. Despite the brevity and a somewhat tense atmosphere, delegates managed to reach an agreement for a new prisoner exchange and signaled plans for further talks in the future.
Prior to the talks, it appears some Russian war bloggers expressed heightened frustration and called for retaliation against Kyiv, fueled by Ukraine’s recent targeted strikes on Russia’s long-range bombers located in Siberia. Reports from both countries differed significantly regarding the damages inflicted upon Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, which plays a critical role in its nuclear capabilities, but satellite images suggest there were serious losses.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan welcomed the Ukrainian and Russian delegations at the opulent Ciragan Palace, highlighting the significant global attention on these meetings. Fidan emphasized that the discussions aimed to assess ceasefire conditions, explore a potential summit between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Vladimir Putin, and examine other prisoner exchange opportunities.
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s Defence Minister, led Kyiv’s team and later revealed that a new prisoner exchange was confirmed, following the largest such swap in the ongoing conflict that occurred after the last meeting. This new exchange would apparently prioritize those who have been severely wounded and younger individuals. He also mentioned that Russia had provided a draft proposal for peace, which Ukraine would review, having prepared its own version as well.
Ukraine is hoping for more negotiations before the end of June, believing that only a direct meeting between Zelenskiy and Putin could effectively tackle the various contentious issues in play. Additionally, Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, stated that Ukraine has submitted a list of children allegedly deported to Russia, which Ukraine wants to bring back. Russia, however, claims these relocations were necessary for the children’s protection from the conflict.
The two nations were expected to discuss their opposing views on what a comprehensive ceasefire and a long-term resolution should entail, particularly as they faced pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. Umerov articulated that Ukraine had been unable to respond to the Russian peace proposals circulated just that day. Both nations seem eager to keep Trump involved in negotiations, though there were low expectations for any significant developments at this meeting.
For Ukraine, Russia’s current proposals seem more like an effort to force capitulation, which it firmly rejects, while Moscow, buoyed by recent battlefield advancements, insists that Kyiv must accept peace on its terms to avoid further substantial territorial losses. Putin previously declared conditions for an immediate end to hostilities, demanding that Ukraine renounce NATO aspirations and withdraw forces from Russian-claimed regions within Ukraine.
Ukraine, in contrast, has drafted a roadmap indicating it seeks no military restrictions post-peace, no recognition of Russian claims over Ukrainian regions, and reparations to be paid. At present, Russia occupies just under one-fifth of Ukraine, covering an area close to the size of Ohio. The conflict, which escalated significantly in February 2022, has reportedly resulted in over 1.2 million casualties and injuries according to U.S. estimates.
In summary, the recent round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul ended abruptly amid a backdrop of escalating military actions. While both sides acknowledged the urgent need for further negotiations and a new prisoner exchange, their fundamentally differing visions for peace and ceasefire hinder any swift resolution. As the dynamics evolve, international observers continue to watch closely, particularly for developments involving U.S. mediation and potential future meetings between the leaders of both nations.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
