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3w ago

Russia’s Refusal to Share Peace Terms Threatens June 2 Istanbul Talks

Ukraine’s insistence on reviewing Russia’s draft memorandum ahead of the session has prompted US warnings that mediation may be withdrawn without progress.

A picture taken on October 28, 2022 shows the Russian-controlled Azov Sea port city of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured), following their talks at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, May 28, 2025.REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo
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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.