Putin-Zelensky meeting hinges on undefined Kremlin terms
The Kremlin has announced the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, though under certain conditions. What are the chances for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine?
What do you need to know?
- Meeting between Putin and Zelensky: The Kremlin stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin could meet with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, but only after certain conditions are met.
- Conditions for the meeting: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not reveal what issues need to be agreed upon before the meeting.
- Talks in Istanbul: On Friday, discussions were held between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, where topics such as prisoner exchanges were discussed.
What conditions must Ukraine meet for Russia?
The Kremlin has not specified exactly what conditions need to be met for the meeting between Putin and Zelensky to occur. Dmitry Peskov emphasized that these details remain confidential. It is worth noting that the last meeting between the two leaders took place in December 2019.
What was agreed upon in Istanbul?
During Friday's talks in Istanbul, Russian and Ukrainian delegations discussed the possibility of a prisoner exchange at a ratio of 1,000 to 1,000 people. However, the Kremlin spokesperson declined to comment on Moscow’s demands, stressing the need to maintain confidentiality in the talks.
What are Russia’s demands?
Bloomberg reported that Russia demanded Ukraine adopt a neutral status, renounce claims for reparations, and recognize the annexation of Crimea and four other regions. These demands were part of the first direct negotiations between representatives of the two countries in three years.
