**Ukrainian Delegation Set for Peace Talks with Russia**
On June 1, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced an updated list of Ukrainian officials who will participate in upcoming peace talks with Russia. The delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, includes several new figures from Ukraine’s military, human rights, and legal sectors.
**Changes to the Delegation**
The original group of 12 has been expanded to 14 members. Three new officials – Andrii Fomin, Yurii Kovbasa, and Yevhenii Ostrianskyi – will join the delegation for the first time. Oleksii Malovatskyi, who was involved in the previous talks on May 16, will not be part of this group.
**Meeting to Take Place in Istanbul**
The meeting is scheduled to take place on June 2, with both Russian and Ukrainian delegations expected to attend. Additionally, security advisors from the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany plan to participate, according to U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.
**Russia’s Proposal Still Unclear**
While Russia has not officially submitted its proposal outlining peace terms, Ukraine plans to present a detailed roadmap aimed at securing a lasting settlement. According to the Ukrainian proposal, the process would begin with a minimum 30-day ceasefire, followed by a full exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russian-held areas.
**Divergent Demands**
The U.S. and Ukraine have pushed for an unconditional ceasefire, but Russia has rejected this demand. Moscow has instead voiced maximalist demands that are unlikely to be accepted by Kyiv, such as recognition of Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian regions and withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the parts of these regions remaining under Kyiv’s control.
**Escalating Tensions**
The talks come at a time when tensions between Ukraine and Russia are escalating. The Kremlin has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, and Trump has expressed frustration with Russia’s reluctance to make concessions. However, he has so far refused to sanction Russia.
**Drone Operation Underlines Tension**
Just hours before the planned meeting, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) conducted a major intelligence drone operation against Russian airfields. The drones destroyed 41 Russian bombers at four airfields across Russia, in what Kyiv called a long-planned blow to Moscow’s strike capabilities.
**Ukraine Counts on Support**
As Ukraine pushes for peace and security, it counts on the support of its allies and independent journalism to spread the truth about Russia’s brutal war. The kyivindependent.com is working hard to show the world the reality of this conflict – without a paywall or compromise.
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