Peace talks in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia: Zelensky calls for immediate ceasefire

New diplomatic initiative to stop the war. Meeting at Ciragan Palace, but Moscow continues attacks on Zaporizhia, Kharkiv and Sumy

Diplomacy is in motion, but the war continues. Today, Monday 2 June, delegations from Ukraine and Russia are meeting in Istanbul to attempt a new negotiating approach aimed at stopping the conflict. The talks are taking place at the Ciragan Palace, as confirmed by Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi: ‘The talks are scheduled for this afternoon’.

The Ukrainian delegation is led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated three priorities: ‘complete and unconditional ceasefire’, ‘release of prisoners’ and ‘return of deported children’.

On the Russian side, the delegation is led by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Moscow is ready to present a memorandum on the ‘root causes of the crisis.’ However, according to Zelensky, the promised document was never delivered.

Attacks continue despite negotiations
While a diplomatic solution is being sought in Istanbul, the war continues on the ground. In the last few hours, Russian bombings have hit several areas of Ukraine.

In the Zaporizhia region, five people have died: three women in the village of Ternuvate and a man in a nearby district, hit by a guided bomb. In Kharkiv, a drone attack injured six people, including two children. Two missiles struck a hostel and several residential buildings, fortunately without causing any casualties.

The city of Nikopol was also hit: three people were injured and a healthcare facility was damaged.

Russia, for its part, claims to have shot down 162 Ukrainian drones during the night. The regions affected include Lipetsk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Oryol, Ryazan and Tambov. One person was injured in the Lipetsk region.

Intervention by the United States
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lavrov on Saturday ‘at Russia’s request’. Rubio reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s call for direct talks to achieve ‘lasting peace’.

The climate remains tense, but the reopening of negotiations is a sign that diplomacy, although uphill, is not yet out of the game.

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