- Category
- Latest news
Ukraine Ready for Full and Unconditional Ceasefire and Direct Negotiations With Russia, Says Defense Minister
- Authors
![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that Ukraine is prepared for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as well as direct high-level peace negotiations with Russia, his statement followed a round of discussions in Istanbul with senior advisors to the leaders of the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, Umerov wrote in a Facebook on May 16.
“We coordinated our positions with our colleagues ahead of today’s meeting with the Russian delegation in Istanbul,” Umerov wrote.
“The Ukrainian side reaffirmed its commitment to peace efforts, highlighting the constructive steps taken in recent weeks and months. We are ready for a full and unconditional ceasefire, as we previously stated during meetings in Jeddah and Riyadh with our American partners. Ukraine is prepared for direct negotiations at the highest level. Today we came to Istanbul to find real paths to a sustainable and just peace.”
-21212ab08090f2219ba39a94d91fa548.png)
Umerov stressed that peace will only be possible if Russia demonstrates a genuine willingness to take concrete steps, including a full cessation of hostilities for at least 30 days and the implementation of key humanitarian actions. These include the return of forcibly deported Ukrainian children and prisoner exchanges under the “all for all” formula.
“We are grateful to our partners — the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany — for their support in advancing the peace process. We also thank Türkiye for facilitating today’s meeting, for providing a platform for negotiations, and for its active role in helping achieve a just peace for Ukraine.”
Earlier, Ukrainian, US and Turkish officials began their trilateral meeting in Istanbul, ahead of anticipated peace talks with Russia.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
