**Russia Welcomes Second Round of Peace Talks with Ukraine in Turkey**
In a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on May 27 that Moscow would be open to another round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. This comes as global diplomacy searches for a suitable venue for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow after the previous talks failed to achieve a ceasefire.
Lavrov’s proposal suggests that Russia is willing to return to the negotiating table, but it remains to be seen whether this will lead to any tangible progress. The Ukrainian government has been pushing for a comprehensive peace deal with Russia, which would involve a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and other key measures to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
**Turkey Steps Up as Host Country**
The proposal to hold the next round of talks in Turkey is not new, however. President Volodymyr Zelensky had already expressed his willingness to engage in peace negotiations with Russia in Istanbul, Switzerland, or the Vatican back on May 19. Lavrov’s comments suggest that Moscow is now also embracing this option.
Turkey has been actively involved in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia since February 2022, hosting multiple rounds of peace talks and facilitating prisoner exchanges. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reaffirmed Ankara’s readiness to facilitate future talks during his visit to Moscow earlier this month.
**An Uncertain Future**
While Lavrov’s proposal is a positive development, it remains uncertain whether the next round of talks will be successful in achieving a meaningful ceasefire or peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. The conflict has been ongoing for over a year now, with both sides suffering significant losses and casualties.
The renewed discussion about potential locations for the next round of talks follows a May 19 call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. During this call, Putin rejected Ukraine’s proposal for an immediate ceasefire and instead suggested preparing a “memorandum” outlining a future peace framework.
Since then, Russia has launched one of its most intense waves of aerial attacks on Ukraine, including over 600 drones and dozens of missiles over a single weekend. This development raises serious concerns about the prospects for peace talks and highlights the need for sustained international pressure to bring an end to this conflict.
**Conclusion**
The proposal by Lavrov to hold another round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul is a positive step forward, but it remains uncertain whether this will lead to any meaningful progress. Turkey’s willingness to host these talks demonstrates Ankara’s commitment to playing a key role in resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
However, the ongoing violence and loss of life on both sides suggest that the situation remains precarious. It is essential for global leaders to continue applying pressure on all parties involved to bring an end to this devastating conflict.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
