Before the Istanbul talks, Zelensky set the main conditions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has officially confirmed that the Kiev delegation will participate in the second round of Russia-Ukraine talks scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul. He reported this on his Telegram channel.

Zelensky stressed that the Istanbul talks are crucial, as the Ukrainian side is taking all necessary steps to protect its independence, statehood and the peace of its people.

"I have set clear tasks for action in the coming days. I have firmly stated our position ahead of the meeting on Monday," Zelensky said.

He listed four main conditions that the Ukrainian side will prioritize in the talks:

• A complete and unconditional ceasefire.
• The release of all military and civilian prisoners of war.
• The return of Ukrainian children abducted during the war.
• Discussion of security guarantees for a credible and lasting peace and preparation for a meeting at the leadership level.

"Only heads of state can resolve such issues," Zelensky stressed.

The Ukrainian leader also said that at a special meeting on June 1, he listened to reports from the ministers of defense and foreign affairs, as well as the heads of the General Staff, intelligence and security services.

The Ukrainian delegation at the talks will be headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

At the same time, it was reported that the Russian delegation has also left for Istanbul. According to the TASS agency, the delegation is headed by Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky. Earlier, on May 28, Umerov and Medinsky spoke by phone and agreed on the date and terms of the talks.

The Russian delegation will participate in the meeting in Istanbul with a draft memorandum on a ceasefire and additional proposals.

It is unknown what the outcome of the talks will be, but these talks are being closely watched by the international community as an opportunity to resolve the military conflict through political means.

Photo: press service of the President of Ukraine