Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned Moscow proposed holding peace talks in Istanbul on June 2.
Lavrov additionally mentioned Russia had drafted a peace “memorandum” outlining its phrases for ending the Ukraine battle and would current it to Kyiv at direct talks in Istanbul subsequent Monday.
“Our delegation… is ready to present this memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and provide the necessary explanations during a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday, June 2,” Lavrov mentioned.
Speaking on the thirteenth Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in Moscow, Lavrov mentioned the resumption of direct negotiations got here “thanks to the initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump,” with “active support” from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Saudi leaders.
“We are grateful to them,” he mentioned.
Recalling the May 16 assembly in Istanbul, Lavrov mentioned: “In those negotiations, we insisted on the abolition of all discriminatory laws in Ukraine, and we will continue to demand this in the upcoming talks as well.”
He warned that with out addressing elementary points equivalent to NATO’s growth and Ukraine’s potential alliance membership, the talks wouldn’t succeed.
“Negotiations are better than war,” Lavrov mentioned. “But with the intention to succeed, the foundation causes should be eradicated. NATO’s eastward growth triggered the disaster in Ukraine and undermined safety in Europe.”
Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow’s calls for for Ukraine to keep up a impartial, non-aligned, and non-nuclear standing – phrases mentioned in earlier Istanbul talks in 2022.
He criticized the West’s place on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, saying it ignores the correct to self-determination.
“The West requires human rights however turns a blind eye to terrorist acts by the Kyiv regime, together with the killings of Russian public figures,” Lavrov mentioned.
He additionally voiced concern over NATO’s rising presence alongside Russia’s border and within the Asia-Pacific, calling such strikes “dangerous adventures.”
On different fronts, Lavrov careworn the necessity to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace course of primarily based on UN choices and reiterated assist for the institution of a Palestinian state.
Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Lavrov expressed cautious optimism, noting “serious progress” in US-Iran dialogue.
“We hope the result will likely be acceptable to all events concerned,” he mentioned.
In an earlier video handle to the occasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned that Moscow is satisfied the brand new international safety structure should be equal and indivisible, that means all states should obtain “firm guarantees of their own security, but not at the expense of the security and interests of other countries.”
The final spherical of direct Russia-Ukraine talks was held in Istanbul on May 16 below Türkiye’s mediation. Moscow claims NATO’s growth and discriminatory Ukrainian laws are the first triggers of the continuing struggle.
Source: www.dailysabah.com