US President Donald Trump is open to partaking in talks upon an invite by his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, however provided that each Russian and Ukrainian Presidents are prepared to come back to the negotiating desk, the White Home mentioned on Tuesday (June 3).
“The president has mentioned he is open to it if it involves that, however he desires each of those leaders and either side to come back to the desk collectively,” White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned.
The character of Erdogan’s proposal has not been formally disclosed, however sources aware of diplomatic discussions say the Turkish chief has steered internet hosting or mediating talks between the disputing events in an try to ease rising regional tensions.
Erdogan proposes three-way summit
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed internet hosting a landmark summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and US President Donald Trump in Istanbul or Ankara later this month, in a renewed effort to finish the warfare in Ukraine.
Putin resists, Zelensky open to dialogue
Whereas Erdogan’s initiative has drawn worldwide consideration, Russian President Vladimir Putin has to this point refused to take part. In distinction, Ukraine’s Zelensky has welcomed the concept, emphasising the necessity for direct engagement between leaders to resolve probably the most vital points.
“Key points can solely be resolved at leaders-level,” Zelensky mentioned following the newest spherical of talks in Istanbul.
Ceasefire talks stall once more
Regardless of renewed diplomatic engagement, progress on a complete ceasefire stays elusive. Ukraine mentioned Russia rejected its name for an unconditional truce, providing as a substitute a restricted pause of two to a few days in choose frontline areas.
“The Russian aspect continued to reject the movement of an unconditional ceasefire,” mentioned Ukraine’s Deputy Overseas Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya.
Russian lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky confirmed the restricted provide.
“We’ve proposed a particular ceasefire for 2 to a few days in sure areas of the entrance line,” Medinsky mentioned, explaining it was vital to gather the our bodies of lifeless troopers.
Russia’s calls for: Territorial pullback and NATO ban
In response to paperwork offered by Russian negotiators, Moscow is demanding a full Ukrainian navy withdrawal from 4 contested areas — Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson — as a situation for broader peace.
Moreover, Russia desires a ban on Ukraine becoming a member of NATO, the restriction of its navy capabilities, and an finish to Western navy assist.
Prisoner swap and soldier repatriation deal reached
Regardless of tensions, either side managed to agree on humanitarian points. A deal was finalised to trade all severely wounded troopers and all captured fighters underneath the age of 25, involving at the least 1,000 people on either side.
Ukraine additionally introduced that the 2 sides agreed to repatriate the our bodies of 6,000 fallen troopers.
Zelensky: “No rewards for the aggressor”
At a press convention in Vilnius, Zelensky made clear that any future settlement should not profit Russia for its aggression.
“The important thing to lasting peace is obvious — the aggressor should not obtain any reward for warfare,” he mentioned, reiterating {that a} everlasting peace can solely be negotiated after hostilities stop fully.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv’s delegation, known as for a follow-up assembly earlier than the top of June and supported the concept of a Putin-Zelensky summit.
Turkey: Environment constructive
Turkish Overseas Minister Hakan Fidan described Monday’s negotiations as productive. “The events constructed on the factors they’d agreed upon throughout the first assembly,” he posted on X, including that preparations for a attainable leaders’ summit are ongoing.
(with AFP inputs)
