Overview
- Russia has declined to share its ceasefire proposals ahead of the June 2 talks in Istanbul.
- Ukraine has refused to commit to attending until it receives a copy of Moscow’s draft “memorandum” outlining its peace conditions.
- US diplomat John Kelley and President Donald Trump have expressed frustration over stalled negotiations and warned that Washington may withdraw from mediation without substantive progress.
- Moscow has massed about 50,000 troops on Ukraine’s northern border, raising alarms about a potential summer offensive into Sumy and Kursk regions.
- The first round of direct negotiations on May 16 resulted only in a large prisoner swap and yielded no ceasefire agreement.