**Russia Proposes Temporary Ceasefire to Collect Fallen Soldiers’ Bodies**
In a press conference on June 2, Vladimir Medinsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide and head of the country’s delegation to Istanbul, announced that Russia has proposed a temporary ceasefire for two or three days in certain areas of the front line. This measure is aimed at collecting the bodies of fallen soldiers from both sides. Ukraine has not yet reacted to the proposal.
According to Medinsky, Russia will also transfer 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers and officers who have been identified through DNA tests. The Russian delegation plans to transport these bodies to Ukraine in an organized manner via special trains so that they can be buried humanely. This development comes hours after the conclusion of the second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul.
**A New Proposal Amid Ongoing Conflict**
This proposal has been made in the midst of ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which started with a full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022. Since then, over 19,500 children have been identified as being forcibly deported to Russia, Belarus, or Russian-occupied territories. Only around 1,300 of these abducted minors have been returned to Ukrainian-controlled areas.
Medinsky’s announcement has sparked various reactions from both sides and the international community. Ukraine has not yet responded to the proposal, while a source in the President’s Office spoke on condition of anonymity that Russia declined a ceasefire proposed by Ukraine.
**Exchange of Severely Wounded and Children**
The Russian delegation also mentioned that an agreement was reached during the talks to exchange severely wounded people and those under 25. This is another attempt at finding common ground between the two warring nations. However, Medinsky denied Kyiv’s accusations that Russia abducted children, claiming that Ukraine handed over a list of 339 names of allegedly abducted minors.
**International Condemnation**
The abduction of Ukrainian children has drawn significant international condemnation. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for overseeing forced deportations. The European Parliament also passed a resolution labeling Russia’s actions as a “genocidal strategy” aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity.
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