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“We’re Ready to Fight However Long It Takes,” Says Russian Delegation in Türkiye

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Amira Barkhush
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“We’re Ready to Fight However Long It Takes,” Says Russian Delegation in Türkiye
Vladimir Medinsky, Head of the Russian delegation at the negotiations in Istanbul, speaks to the press after the trilateral meeting among Türkiye, Russia, and Ukraine in Istanbul, Türkiye, May 16, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

The latest Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul concluded after just two hours. Oliver Carroll, foreign correspondent for The Economist, shared exclusive insights from a source close to the negotiations.

He quoted the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, saying: “We don’t want war, but we’re ready to fight for a year, two, three—however long it takes. We fought Sweden for 21 years. How long are you ready to fight?”

Medinsky reportedly added, “And Peter the Great… you know who financed him? England and France. Sweden would still be a great power today if not for that.” According to Carroll, this kind of rhetoric was common during the discussions.

According to the Head of the Russian deligation, Russia will agree to a ceasefire only if Ukraine withdraws its forces from four regions, none of which Russia fully controls.

At the same time, members of the Russian delegation reportedly threatened to seize two additional regions, Kharkiv and Sumy, if their demands are not met, the journalist cited Medinsky.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the Russian and Ukrainian delegations discussed a ceasefire and prisoner exchange during talks in Istanbul.

The Minister stated that a prisoner swap in a “1,000 for 1,000” format could take place soon. “We know the date, but we will not disclose it at this time,” he said.

According to Reuters, Moscow reportedly issued what Ukrainian officials described as “unrealistic” demands.

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