Ahead of Istanbul talks: Ukraine officially announces peace proposals

Ahead of the Ukrainian-Russian talks scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, Kiev officials have released the text of their official peace proposals. According to Reuters, the document will be officially presented by the Ukrainian delegation to the Russian representatives at the talks.

The main points of the document are as follows:

• Complete and unconditional ceasefire

Kiev sees a complete cessation of hostilities in the air, on land and at sea as a necessary condition for the start of negotiations. This is aimed not only at easing tensions on the front line, but also at creating the necessary environment for peaceful dialogue.

• Ensuring the return of children and exchange of prisoners

Ukraine demands the unconditional return of Ukrainian children illegally taken to Russia during the war. It also proposes an exchange of prisoners of war in an "all for all" format and the release of civilians held hostage.

• Security guarantees and geopolitical freedom

Ukraine demands reliable security guarantees from the international community. Kiev should have the right to freely determine its military potential and political direction, the text says.

As a special case, the Ukrainian side emphasizes:

“No external restrictions should be accepted on the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, their location, type of equipment, as well as the deployment of troops of friendly states on its territory.”

• The right to choose the Euro-Atlantic path

It is wrong to force Kiev to adopt a policy of neutrality, Ukraine says. The state has the right to independently make geopolitical decisions about its future, including joining the European Union and NATO.

Much attention is currently being paid to the negotiations in Istanbul, which are currently being hotly discussed in international diplomatic circles. The outcome of the talks could be crucial not only for Ukraine and Russia, but for peace in the entire region.

Photo: Francisco Seco/AP