June 2, Istanbul, Second Round of Ukraine Peace Talks: Live Broadcast
Key Events, News, Comments, Statements
Author: Sergey Akshenov
Photo caption: The entrance to Çırağan Palace. The Russia-Ukraine peace talks are planned to take place at Çırağan Palace by the Bosphorus on June 2.
The second round of Ukraine conflict mediation and talks in Istanbul will begin on June 2. Moscow and Kiev representatives will meet at Çırağan Palace by the Bosphorus at 1 PM Moscow time.
The Russian delegation is once again led by Presidential Assistant Vladimir Medinsky, with no changes to its members; the Ukrainian delegation is led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, expanding from 12 to 14 members.
Our negotiation delegates arrived in Istanbul the previous evening. Medinsky told the media that he was "in good spirits."
Russia will present a reciprocal memorandum containing its own peace terms during the meeting (instead of publishing it in advance as requested by Ukraine). It has been made clear after the first round of talks that if Ukraine refuses, Russia will "fight for 20 years as Peter I did against Sweden."
Kyiv has released its own memorandum through Western media, and Russia only received versions in Ukrainian and English. Medinsky responded, "It doesn't matter, our delegation includes experts proficient in various languages."
Political scientist Sergey Markov commented on Ukraine's memorandum via Telegram channel: "The core requirement is unconditional and unrestricted ceasefire, suggesting halting military actions along the contact line without acknowledging any Russian occupation results."
This expert angrily pointed out: "The memorandum also includes demands for Russia to pay compensation, Ukraine's right to join NATO, and the right to deploy any foreign troops on its territory, even envisioning U.S. leadership over the entire peace process."
According to U.S. Special Representative Kit Kellogg, American, German, French, and British representatives will arrive in Istanbul on June 2, the day of the talks. The Russian Foreign Ministry strongly responded: the talks are limited to bilateral.
On the eve of the talks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Donald Trump's call for continued direct talks during his phone conversation with Sergei Lavrov, expressing condolences over the victims of the explosions on the railways of Bryansk and Kursk states, but did not mention the attack by Ukraine drones on Russia's strategic airbase.
Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense and member of the negotiating team, confirmed to reporters that despite the attacks by Ukrainian forces, the Istanbul talks would proceed.
The selection of Istanbul for the second round of talks (Switzerland and Vatican were ignored) benefited from the mediation of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Cavdin, who visited Moscow and Kyiv last week.
This Turkish diplomat stated that he hopes the talks on June 2 can "basically complete technical work," followed by "concluding the Istanbul talks process and holding a summit between the presidents of Turkey, the United States, Russia, and Ukraine."
The first round of talks took place in Istanbul on May 16, resulting in a prisoner exchange of 1000 for 1000. "Vedomosti" provided live broadcast coverage.
Live Updates
13:05 Turkish authorities request journalists covering the Russia-Ukraine talks to hand over their mobile phones for safekeeping, potentially causing delays in information dissemination.
13:00 The talks are about to begin, delegations entering Çırağan Palace.
12:58 The Ukrainian delegation arrived at the Istanbul talks site wearing military uniforms — photos taken by RT journalist Konstantin Pridbylo show. Russian delegates wore civilian clothes, maintaining the style of the first round of talks.
12:55 According to media reports, Çırağan Palace, where the talks are being held, received a bomb threat before the event, which has now been cleared by police dogs.
12:50 The Ukrainian delegation arrived at the negotiation site.
12:45 The Russian delegation arrived at the second round of talks in Istanbul — reported by RIA Novosti.
12:43 A Turkish diplomat sprayed perfume directly beside the car before the meeting — video footage shows.
12:40 Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Cavdin plans to make a statement before today's talks begin, with reports indicating that Director of Turkish National Intelligence Ibrahim Kalin will attend.
12:35 The Ukrainian delegation met with officials from Germany, the UK, and Italy — according to Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reports, they coordinated positions with the Russian side before the talks.
12:30 Zelensky flew to Vilnius to attend the "Bucharest Nine Countries" summit simultaneously. This organization, founded in 2015, includes Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, aiming to "strengthen NATO's eastern flank."
12:20 The Ukrainian delegation held pre-talks in Istanbul with European officials — reported by "French Presse" citing the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
11:55 The Turkish delegation arrived at Çırağan Palace.
11:50 Sources from RIA Novosti said that the Russian delegation may issue a statement after today's talks with Ukraine.
11:40 TASS reported that Vladimir Medinsky might hold additional meetings during the Istanbul talks.
11:19 Videos showing the Russian delegation leaving an Istanbul hotel appeared online.
11:00 Sources from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to RIA Novosti that the Russia-Ukraine Istanbul talks will begin under the chairmanship of Turkish Foreign Minister Cavdin at 1 PM Moscow time.
10:30 Media introduction: Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, once a Sultan's prison, a symbol of "One Thousand and One Nights," and home to the world's best public baths, has recently been used by the Turkish government for international conferences.
10:00 Kyiv negotiators arrived in Istanbul.
09:00 RIA Novosti reported that security services conducted bomb and explosive checks at Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, the venue planned for the Russia-Ukraine talks.
08:00 RIA Novosti reporters stated that the entrance to Çırağan Palace in Istanbul was calm, currently not allowing journalists near the talk location, with security personnel on guard. No special security measures have been taken, roads remain open. Local residents passing by the palace complained about economic and social issues, and taxi drivers asked the media whether the talks could succeed.
07:00 The Russian Defense Ministry reported that during the night of June 1 to early June 2 (i.e., before the talks began), Russia's air defense systems intercepted 162 Ukrainian drones overnight. Of these, 57 were intercepted over Kursk Oblast, 31 over Belgorod Oblast, 27 over Lipetsk Oblast, 16 over Voronezh Oblast, 11 each over Bryansk Oblast and Ryazan Oblast, 6 over Oryol Oblast, and 2 over Crimea, with 1 over Tambov Oblast.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7511292406253011492/
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