Ukraine Considers Resuming Talks If Putin Changes Stance

Kiev has responded to statements from Moscow, emphasizing that Russian-Ukrainian negotiations could only resume following a change in the position of the Russian president.

In its response to Moscow's declarations regarding the potential restoration of Istanbul-format talks on Russian-Ukrainian resolution, Kiev highlighted that these discussions are dependent on Russia's willingness to continue direct communications with Ukrainian representatives.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the other hand, has accused Ukraine of obstructing the negotiation process. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Georgy Tykhin stressed that Vladimir Putin does not want to end the war, and negotiations will only be possible if he alters his stance.

Tykhin reminded that the Ukrainian delegation has visited Istanbul several times this year to meet with the Russian delegation. “Unfortunately, Moscow has sent officials of a different level who continued to recycle the same ultimatums and lacked the authority to make decisions,” he noted.

According to him, Ukraine is prepared to organize a meeting at the level of the two countries' presidents to discuss the issue of a ceasefire.