The same, in the same place: the second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine was held in Istanbul

On Monday, June 2, the second round of negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul, the capital of Turkey. As before, the Russian delegation was headed by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, while the Ukrainian delegation was headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. At the end of the meeting, Medinsky made a statement and spoke about the results of the meeting. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

The results of the negotiations in Istanbul on June 2

On Monday, June 2, the second meeting between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine on the settlement of the conflict took place. During the meeting, many topics were touched upon, including the Russian version of the peace agreement, the memorandum that Kiev took for study.

As before, the Russian delegation was headed by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, while the Ukrainian delegation was headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. In addition to Vladimir Medinsky, Russia was represented at the talks by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

Following the meeting, Vladimir Medinsky made a number of statements:

— The Russian memorandum consists of two parts, the second of which includes steps for a full-fledged ceasefire and provides for variability and several ways.;

Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky during Russian-Ukrainian talks at the Chiragan Palace in Istanbul

Photo: TASS/Alexander Ryumin

— Next week, Russia will unilaterally transfer 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine, all identities have been identified.;

— the parties have agreed on a large-scale prisoner exchange. The sick and seriously injured will be exchanged on an all-for-all basis;

— a commission will be created to exchange seriously wounded soldiers without political decisions.;

— the parties will exchange fighters up to 25 years old;

— the total exchange ceiling will be at least 1,000 people on each side.;

— The parties to the negotiation process agreed on a cease-fire in certain sectors of the front so that the commanders could take the bodies of their soldiers.;

Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov during the Russian-Ukrainian talks at the Chiragan Palace in Istanbul

Photo: TASS/Alexander Ryumin

— The Ukrainian military has promised to work out a proposal for a ceasefire in certain areas in the near future;

Terms of contact: what did the delegations of the Russian Federation and Ukraine come to Istanbul to negotiate with

Why is Kiev making excessive demands and what will its envoys hear on June 2?

— Kiev has made a "show for compassionate Europeans" out of the "abduction" of children. Russia also received from Ukraine a list of 339 names of children who found themselves in a difficult situation due to the conflict. In addition, Russia has recently returned 101 children, while only 22 have returned from the Ukrainian side.;

— The Russian army is advancing, because of this, there are more casualties among the Ukrainian military on the battlefield.;

— negotiations with Ukraine were held in Russian;

— The Russian delegation is pleased with the results of the second round of negotiations with Ukraine.

What is known about the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2: the positions of the parties

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the meeting of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul excellent. The Turkish leader said that in the future, Turkey plans to take initiatives to organize a summit at the leadership level.

The main conditions for the Russian side to resolve the conflict are the return of Ukraine to a neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-weapon-free status. At the same time, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were also working on a list of conditions for a temporary truce.

Russian-Ukrainian talks at the Chiragan Palace in Istanbul

Photo: TASS/Alexander Ryumin

In turn, Ukraine, whose delegation was headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, confirmed the agreements on the exchange of prisoners.

Good background rules: how a large-scale prisoner exchange affects the dialogue between Moscow and Kiev

At the first stage, 390 military personnel and civilians each return to Russia and Ukraine.

On the eve of the meeting, the text of the Ukrainian memorandum on ceasefire was published by the Reuters news agency. Kiev's proposals largely repeat previously voiced positions.:

— complete ceasefire for at least 30 days;

— Prisoner exchange and return of Ukrainian children in Russia;

— Zelensky's personal meeting with the Russian president to conclude a final agreement.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky and Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation — Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Igor Kostyukov talk to reporters after direct talks between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine near the Chiragan Palace in Istanbul

Photo: RIA Novosti/Kirill Zykov

At the same time, Ukraine does not recognize the loss of territories, is not ready to limit the armed forces and insists on reparations. It is proposed to use the current front line as a basis for further territorial negotiations.

On May 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed creating a "buffer zone" to ensure the security of border areas, stressing that this task is now being solved by the armed forces.

"The creation of a buffer zone is one of the main guarantees of a stable situation in the border territories. <...> Ukraine today uses drones in colossal numbers, and for strikes against the civilian population," Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador—at-large of the Russian Foreign Ministry for crimes of the Kiev regime, told Izvestia earlier.