The permanent representative of Russia at the UN, Vasili Nebenzia. Credit: Bianca otero / zuma / splashnews.com / Splash / Profimedia
Russia's permanent representative at the United Nations, Vasili Nebenzia, said in the UN Security Council that a simple cessation of fire is not enough to end the Ukraine war, according to Sky News.
“In order to obtain a sustainable and lasting settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, we must address its deep causes,” Vasili Nebenzia told the UN Security Council.
“What we propose is a second round of discussions in Istanbul, next month (…), where we can exchange memorandums on the approaches of both parties in the negotiation process,” added the Russian ambassador.
Also in Istanbul, in May, representatives of Russia and Ukraine held the first face -to -face discussions after 2022.
The discussions on May 16 did not lead to a ceasefire agreement, as Kiev and its Western allies wanted. Moscow claims that certain conditions must be met before such a measure is possible.
“We hope that all those who are honestly interested, and not only in words, the success of the peace process will support the organization of a new Russian-Ukrainian direct negotiations in Istanbul,” Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, quoted by Reuters on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, the head of the Russian delegation at the peace negotiations with Ukraine, Vladimir Medinski, announced on Telegram that he called the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Rustem Humorov, to propose the date and place of the next meeting.
“Allow me to emphasize: right there, on the spot, we are ready to start an essential and substantial discussion about each of the framework agreement on a possible armistice,” said Medinski.
Zelenski did not confirm Ukraine's participation
The President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, sent a message on social networks on Friday, and did not confirm the possible participation of the Ukrainians in the discussions proposed by the Russian side for June 2, according to AFP. Instead, the Kiev leader accused Moscow of not presenting a promised list of terms he considers vital for peace discussions.
“The Russians could not present the so-called” memorandum “that they had promised to prepare,” the Ukrainian president wrote on social networks, adding that: “Unfortunately, Russia does everything possible to ensure that the next potential meeting does not bring any results.”
