During the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia held in Istanbul on May 16, the Russian delegation made harsh demands and issued threats of continued aggression, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing journalist Oliver Carroll.
According to the report, Moscow stated it would agree to a ceasefire only if Ukrainian forces withdrew from four regions that Russia claims to have “annexed”—despite not having full control over them. Furthermore, Russian officials threatened to advance and seize two additional regions: Kharkiv and Sumy.
Carroll also cited remarks made by the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, who allegedly warned that Russia was prepared to wage war for as long as necessary. Medinsky reportedly referenced a historical conflict with Sweden that lasted over two decades, using it as an example of Russia’s willingness to endure a prolonged war.
Additionally, Medinsky was quoted as saying that more civilians might suffer and that Russia was ready for an indefinite confrontation.
This meeting in Istanbul marked the first face-to-face contact between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in three years since the full-scale invasion began. According to Ukrainian officials, the objective of the talks was to secure at least a 30-day ceasefire as a foundation for broader peace negotiations.
Earlier we wrote that Orbán accuses Ukraine of sabotaging EU membership poll.