TURKEY URGES CEASEFIRE, US SETS DEADLINE
Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan, who opened the talks, urged the delegations to maneuver towards a ceasefire.
“Our goal is to finish this bloody conflict, which has a really excessive value, as quickly as doable,” he mentioned. “The final word purpose is a ceasefire that can pave the best way for peace.”
The talks observe earlier conferences in Istanbul in Could and June, which yielded agreements on prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of troopers’ stays.
The newest negotiations come because the Trump administration intensifies strain on Russia. Final week, Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to finish the conflict or face extra sanctions.
Regardless of the ultimatum, the Kremlin signalled no change in stance. “Nobody expects a simple street. Will probably be very tough,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned.
A Ukrainian delegation supply informed AFP earlier than the talks that progress would rely upon whether or not Russia adopted a extra constructive strategy. “All the things will rely upon whether or not Russia stops talking in ultimatums,” the supply mentioned.
Russia has to date insisted Ukraine withdraw from 4 japanese and southern areas it claims to have annexed in 2022, a requirement Kyiv rejects as non-negotiable. Ukraine has additionally dominated out any territorial concessions, together with Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.
