The prospects for an end to hostilities between Russia and Ukraine remain bleak after the two sides exchanged proposals within the framework of diplomatic talks that demonstrated diametrically opposed positions, the BBC analyzes.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that possible compromises on the Russian side could not be discussed publicly. He recalled that "certain agreements" had been reached in Istanbul, but called for patience: "We expect a reaction to the text of the memorandum that was handed over," Peskov added, quoted by TASS and Interfax.
According to him, a high-level meeting between the presidents of Russia, the United States and Ukraine is unlikely in the near future, emphasizing that such talks would only make sense after concrete progress at the expert level.
A little later, Russian agencies published the contents of the Russian memorandum, which Kiev officially received but refuses to read to the media. According to sources, the document contains categorical demands for Ukraine: to recognize Russian sovereignty over five occupied regions (including the partially controlled Kherson and Zaporizhia regions), to abandon participation in military alliances, to limit its army, to declare Russian a second official language, and to assist in the lifting of sanctions against Russia.
Moscow says it would accept a ceasefire only under two scenarios: either Ukrainian troops immediately withdraw from the occupied territories to a distance agreed with Russia, or Ukraine renounces foreign military assistance, ends mobilization and martial law, and organizes presidential and parliamentary elections.
Ukraine categorically rejects these conditions. According to the Ukrainian memorandum published a day earlier, Kiev does not accept neutrality, limitation of the army, or recognition of Russian territorial claims. Instead, it is proposing a complete ceasefire and the creation of international security guarantees, after which a process of gradual lifting of sanctions could begin.
Ukrainian diplomat Serhiy Kyslytsia said that Moscow had not given a concrete response to Kiev's proposals. However, the Ukrainian delegation has insisted on an immediate ceasefire and proposed a summit between Presidents Zelensky and Putin in late June, with the possible participation of US President Donald Trump. Turkey, which is playing a mediating role, has expressed hope that such a trilateral meeting could take place in Istanbul or Ankara.
Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities have not subsided. Russia continues to conduct intensive nighttime drone attacks on Ukrainian territory, while the Ukrainian army over the weekend carried out a large-scale operation on Russian soil, attacking military airfields with strategic aviation.