Russia and Ukraine: New Peace Talks on the Horizon?
Moscow's Commitment to Peace Negotiations
Moscow: The Russian government has expressed its willingness to maintain dialogue with Kyiv and intends to propose a memorandum aimed at establishing a peace agreement, as stated by Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday.
Zakharova emphasized that Russia is committed to achieving a just resolution to the ongoing crisis, noting that addressing the fundamental issues is essential for any progress.
She highlighted the need to reach consensus on various elements, including the core principles of the settlement, the timeline for a potential peace agreement, and specifics regarding a ceasefire if agreements are reached.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that both Moscow and Kyiv should prepare for discussions on the joint memorandum concerning the peace treaty and ceasefire, as reported by a news agency. He welcomed the renewed dialogue between the two nations, indicating that there is no set deadline for finalizing the memorandum.
On Monday, a telephone conversation took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump regarding the Ukraine situation and the recent discussions held in Istanbul.
Following their two-hour call, Trump announced that ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine would commence immediately, describing the tone of their conversation as positive.
After speaking with Putin, Trump shared on his social media platform that Russia and Ukraine would begin negotiations for a ceasefire right away, aiming to resolve the conflict.
He mentioned that Russia is keen to explore significant trade agreements with the United States once the conflict concludes, stating, "There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country."
Trump also noted that the terms of the ceasefire would be negotiated directly between Russia and Ukraine, as they possess insights into the negotiations that others may not.
However, he later cautioned reporters that he might withdraw from the negotiation process if necessary, saying, "Big egos involved, but I think something's going to happen. And if it doesn't, I just back away, and they're going to have to keep going again."