The head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine declared readiness for a cease-fire

Ukraine is ready for a complete and unconditional ceasefire, as well as direct high-level negotiations. This was announced on May 16 by the country's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

"We coordinated our positions with colleagues before today's meeting and with the Russian delegation in Istanbul. The Ukrainian side confirmed its commitment to peaceful efforts, emphasizing the constructive steps taken in recent weeks and months," Umerov said, quoted by the We are Ukraine TV channel.

According to him, peace can be achieved if the Russian side is also ready for a complete ceasefire and humanitarian steps.

Request for time: the delegations of Russia and Ukraine postponed the date of negotiations

The United States may join the dialogue between Moscow and Kiev.

Earlier in the day, negotiations between the American, Turkish and Ukrainian delegations on the conflict in Ukraine began in Istanbul. They were attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and head of the office of Ukrainian Leader Volodymyr Zelensky Andriy Ermak. After about an hour, the trilateral negotiations ended.

After that, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations arrived at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. According to the Izvestia correspondent, military personnel are on duty near the palace, as well as numerous representatives of the press.