The Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Istanbul for negotiations with its Russian counterparts, marking another step in efforts to bring the war to a diplomatic end. A day earlier, Kyiv released a detailed list of conditions that it says must be fulfilled before any peace agreement can be signed. The memorandum outlines several key provisions, including terms for a ceasefire, the handling of territorial disputes, and the necessity of a direct meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine’s public broadcaster, Suspilne, published the key points of the document:
- A complete and unconditional cessation of hostilities in the air, on land, and at sea for at least 30 days, as an essential prerequisite for holding peace talks.
- Resolution of humanitarian issues: Ukraine is demanding the unconditional return of all children who were deported to Russia or illegally displaced during the war. It also calls for a full prisoner exchange under the principle of “all for all,” and insists that Russia release all civilian hostages currently in its custody.
- Security guarantees: As part of the peace framework, Ukraine proposes inviting members of the international community to join the negotiations and to provide credible and binding security guarantees for Kyiv’s long-term protection.
- Sovereignty: The memorandum makes clear that Ukraine will not agree to neutrality. Kyiv reserves the right to pursue full membership in the European Union and the Euro-Atlantic community. While NATO accession remains dependent on consensus among existing members, the document emphasises that no external limitations can be placed on the size, deployment, or structure of Ukraine’s armed forces—or on the presence of allied foreign troops on its territory.
- Territorial issues: The Ukrainian position holds that none of Russia’s territorial gains since February 2014 are recognised by the international community. Talks will begin from the current line of contact, but the question of territorial control will only be addressed once a full and unconditional ceasefire is in place.
- Sanctions: The roadmap allows for some sanctions against Russia to be lifted, but only gradually and in clearly defined stages. A reactivation mechanism would be built in to restore restrictions if needed. Meanwhile, frozen Russian sovereign assets are to be directed toward Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction or kept frozen until Moscow pays reparations.
Russian media reported that Moscow has received Ukraine’s draft memorandum outlining terms for a peaceful resolution to the war. The document, delivered in both Ukrainian and English, was confirmed by Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation.
On the Ukrainian side, the talks are being led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who has already held consultations with Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey, Nariman Dzhelal. The negotiations in Istanbul will be chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with İbrahim Kalın, head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), also expected to take part in the high-level meeting.
