Russia-Ukraine talks: Putin-Zelenskyy meet attainable; Moscow guarantees to scale down operations

There had been indicators of a breakthrough as delegates from Russia and Ukraine met in Turkey’s Istanbul to barter an finish to the month-long conflict. Notably, a Ukrainian negotiator mentioned a gathering between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin could quickly materialise.

The Russian delegation was additionally optimistic after the primary spherical of talks with the Ukrainians in Istanbul, terming them “meaningful”. The two sides met face-to-face after a number of rounds of failed negotiations.

“The results of today’s meeting are sufficient for a meeting at the leaders’ level,” Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia mentioned, elevating the opportunity of a gathering between the presidents of the 2 international locations.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy has indicated on a number of events that he’s greater than keen to have interaction in dialogue with Putin. By distinction, the Russian international ministry on Monday dominated out direct talks between the 2 leaders as “counterproductive”.

Click Here For LIVE Updates on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

RUSSIA PROMISES TO SCALE DOWN ATTACKS

In a major concession by Moscow, the Russian navy mentioned it will “essentially” cut back operations near Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv. Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said the move was meant “to increase trust” in talks aimed at ending the fighting, which has resulted in untold losses on both sides.

“In order to extend mutual belief and create the mandatory situations for additional negotiations and reaching the final word objective of agreeing and signing (an) settlement, a call was made to radically, by a big margin, scale back navy exercise within the Kyiv and Chernihiv instructions,” Fomin told reporters.

Lending credence to Moscow’s claims of pullback, Ukraine’s military said it had noted withdrawals around Kyiv and Chernihiv on Tuesday. However, the Russian onslaught continued as usual in the war-torn country’s western and southern regions.

READ | Russia says it will use nuclear weapons only if country’s existence is threatened

The talks hosted by Turkey raised hopes that a diplomatic resolution may be in sight for the Russia-Ukraine war which has turned into a bloody campaign of attrition.

Ahead of the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country was prepared to declare its neutrality, as Moscow has demanded, and was open to compromise over the contested eastern region of Donbas — comments that might lend momentum to negotiations.

WHAT ELSE HAPPENED AT THE TALKS?

Ukrainian negotiators said that under their proposals, Ukraine would agree not to join alliances or host bases of foreign troops, but would have its security guaranteed in terms similar to “Article 5”, the collective defence clause of Nato.

They identified Israel and Nato members Canada, Poland and Turkey as countries that could help provide such guarantees. Russia, the United States, Britain, Germany and Italy could also provide guarantees.

READ | Ukraine war enters 2nd month: Will Russia take Kyiv or use its stranglehold to drive a hard bargain?

The proposals would include a 15-year consultation period on the status of Russian-annexed Crimea, and could come into force only in the event of a complete ceasefire, the negotiators said.

The fate of the southeastern Donbas region, which Russia demands Ukraine cede to separatists, would be set aside to be discussed by the Ukrainian and Russian leaders, they added. Any peace deal would require a referendum in Ukraine.

Top Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said he would examine the Ukrainian proposals and report on them to President Vladimir Putin.

(With inputs from Agencies)