Ukraine wants to end this war this year.
This statement was made by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Kyiv on 30 May.
“Ukraine wants to end this war this year. Unfortunately, the war continues on our territory and our people are suffering. Therefore, the support of our partners is extremely important in this context. Hakan has just returned from Moscow and he informed me in detail about what he heard and saw there. We are all taking steps that bring peace to Ukraine,” Sybiha said, adding that Kyiv expects a memorandum from Moscow with ceasefire proposals, as it has already submitted its proposals.
Fidan stressed: “Either we will turn a blind eye to the continuation of this war or we will achieve a sustainable peace by the end of this year.” The Turkish minister also emphasised that peace must be “just and last” and that the Turkish side expects the talks to continue at the level of leaders.
“We see the Istanbul talks as a new beginning, and the rapid implementation of the agreement on the 1000-for-1000 prisoner exchange has proven that negotiations can lead to concrete results,” the Turkish Foreign Minister added.
Fidan also said that they are organising a “shuttle diplomacy” – the Turkish side started in Moscow by conveying its assessments and expectations, and now they will exchange views with the Ukrainians in Kyiv. The minister also reminded that Russia wants to hold a new round of talks on 2 June.
In addition, Fidan believes that a second round of talks is feasible and, according to him, Turkey is ready to host the talks.
The ministers also discussed the process of releasing prisoners, the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, and the reconstruction of Ukraine through the efforts of Turkish business. According to Fidan, Turkey supports the return of Crimea and the rights of the people.
- Today, the Turkish minister is to be received by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The diplomat will also meet with the head of the Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
- Earlier, Trump said that he was ready to sit down with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin if necessary.