Russia: Istanbul Negotiations May Yield Unified Document to End War
Following a statement from Russia’s special envoy, Rodion Mironchnik, on Friday, there is a potential for Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams in Istanbul to establish a mechanism to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, according to the German news agency.
During a press briefing, Mironchnik responded to inquiries regarding the likely outcomes of the planned negotiations, stating, "First, we must go through the initial path, which is reaching an agreement for peace, meaning to find the mechanism for resolution itself. The teams formed by both sides are fully capable of doing that."
He continued, "They can develop a model that would be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine, and that the international community would accept. Such opportunities do exist."
Mironchnik noted that Russia had done everything possible to organize negotiations in Istanbul but is not responsible for Kyiv’s unpredictable behavior. He added, "Taking responsibility for an opponent whose behavior is unpredictable and highly volatile is not a feasible task. Today, we have done everything we needed to do at this stage. We initiated the process, prepared the negotiation platform, provided a group of competent and authorized negotiators, and submitted our proposals accordingly in the form of documents."
He further expressed, "It’s difficult for me to imagine what more Russia could have done. How the Ukrainian delegation will act, I do not know."
Mironchnik emphasized that "a 30-day ceasefire would allow Kyiv to rearm and reach a new level of escalation, which is not a step towards peace."
He elaborated, "There have been a number of statements regarding this matter. Thirty days, a truce for thirty days, what is called a ceasefire; we clearly understand that the Ukrainian side needs it only to further fortify their positions, build fortifications, rearm, regroup troops and resources, etc. So, it’s to achieve a new level of escalation within a month. Naturally, this step is not in the direction of resolution, but in the opposite direction."
The Russian delegation in Istanbul is headed by Vladimir Medinsky, an advisor to the Russian president. The delegation also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
