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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that the recent rounds of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul were "important and useful," signaling tangible progress in direct dialogue. Lavrov made the remarks during a Cabinet meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. He emphasized that the talks, agreed upon following a phone conversation with former US President Donald Trump, yielded "concrete results" and demonstrated that the diplomatic process is "working." Lavrov noted that the ongoing communication channels with Kiev are crucial for addressing humanitarian concerns, stating, "It is always better to have channels of communication—this allows you to...

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday praised the latest talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations that took place in his country earlier today. "Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul today. It was a magnificent meeting," Erdogan said following a cabinet session at the presidential complex in Ankara, stressing that "Istanbul was a turning point." The leader underscored his aspirations to take the dialogue further. "My greatest wish for both sides is to bring [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky together in Istanbul or Ankara," he stated. "Even Trump joining would be ideal," he concluded.

That today’s (2) peace negotiations in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine have flopped is hardly surprising. On the one hand, Russian Federation forces have conquered around 20 settlements in a single week, and their offensive on the Northern Sumy and Kharkov regions have the real potential of breaking down the undermanned and underequipped Ukrainian defenses. Mood at the Istanbul talks — Ukraine’s Defense Minister Umerov cracks a smile, while Putin’s aide Medinsky remains serious pic.twitter.com/9TDU3xBzQ3 — RT (@RT_com) June 2, 2025 But on the other hand, Ukraine arrived for the talks boosted by the success of yesterday’s drone attack on...

Russia presented Ukraine with a "peace memo" on Monday stating its terms for a ceasefire and peace deal, though the Russian position effectively remains unchanged, a Ukrainian official told Axios. -snip- The talks ended after about an hour with no clear breakthrough beyond an agreement for another prisoner exchange. Russia continues to reject President Trump's demand for an immediate ceasefire. Ukraine's defense minister said all POWs who are under 25 or in serious medical condition will be exchanged. The Russian position as stated in the peace memo remains "as usual," and includes demands that Ukraine withdraw from regions of Ukraine...

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov called for a high-level summit by the end of June following direct talks with Russian officials in Istanbul. Speaking after the meeting, Umerov confirmed that Russia handed over a peace memorandum and emphasized that "all key issues at talks can only be resolved at the leader-level." The Ukrainian delegation expressed cautious optimism, highlighting potential humanitarian progress if both sides follow through on agreed-upon measures. At the same press conference, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya noted the importance of sustained diplomacy, stating, "We managed to construct our conversation in a way we can have tangible...

The second round of negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul "did not end negatively," Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Oncu Keceli said on Monday, adding that the delegations' members are currently having lunch. However, Russian news agency Tass reported, citing a source familiar with the plans, that the talks will not continue today, adding that both countries' representatives will leave Turkey soon. Additionally, the source suggested that a third round of negotiations is being arranged, without disclosing further details. Earlier, Axios reported that Russia handed over its peace memorandum to Ukraine, setting out its conditions for a ceasefire...

The Russian government has provided Kiev with a peace memorandum outlining its terms for a ceasefire and the conditions for ending the war, according to Axios global affairs correspondent Barak Ravid, citing Ukrainian sources. The report comes after the conclusion of the second direct meeting between the negotiation teams of Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, which lasted over an hour. In related news, the Ukrainian Presidency has informed that it has sent Moscow a list containing hundreds of Ukrainian children who have been "deported."

The representatives from Ukraine and Russia gathered in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday, with the second round of peace negotiations officially underway, according to the TASS news agency. While the Ukrainian delegation is headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, the Russian side has presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky as the lead negotiator. The discussions are being held at the Ciragan Palace (pictured). According to Anadolu Agency, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is chairing the meeting, with Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director Ibrahim Kalin said to be on the attendance list as well.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Heorhii Tykhyi, stated on Monday that Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya (pictured middle) and delegation member Oleksandr Bevz (pictured first from right) met with European representatives from Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in Istanbul to coordinate their positions ahead of the negotiations between Kiev and Moscow. "Members of the Ukrainian delegation reiterated Ukraine's commitment to peace efforts. They elaborated on the items of the agenda, which include leaders' meeting, a full ceasefire, and humanitarian confidence-building measures," Tykhyi said in a post on X. Meanwhile, a source in the Ukrainian delegation reportedly told AFP...

A trilateral meeting between delegations from Türkiye, Russia, and Ukraine is scheduled to begin at 1 pm local time on Monday at Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace, Turkish diplomatic sources said. The talks will be chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and are expected to bring together senior officials from all three countries. Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director İbrahim Kalin is also slated to attend.

2 June 2025 Monday of the 7th week of EastertideIn the north transept of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the first altar on the left is that of St. ErasmusReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).First readingActs 19:1-8The moment Paul laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on themWhile Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ they answered, ‘No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a...

The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul to participate in negotiations with the Ukrainian side, which are scheduled to take place on June 2, News.Az informs via TASS. "The negotiating team has arrived in Istanbul," the agency's source said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Russian delegation led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky is ready to present a memorandum to Ukraine on all aspects of overcoming the root causes of the crisis in Istanbul on June 2.

A meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul aimed at paving the way for a potential ceasefire is expected to take place at 10:00 GMT, or 1 p.m. local time, at the Ciragan Palace, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said on Sunday. Ukraine's delegation to a second round of peace talks will include its defense minister, deputy foreign minister, as well as several military and intelligence officials, according to an executive order by President Volodymyr Zelensky published on Sunday.

Ukrainian negotiators at talks scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul will present to the Russian side a proposed roadmap for reaching a lasting peace settlement, according to a copy of the document seen by Reuters. The proposed roadmap begins with a full ceasefire of at least 30 days, to be followed by the return of all prisoners held by each side, and of Ukrainian children taken into Russian-held territory, and then a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Under the blueprint, Moscow and Kyiv -- with the participation of the United States and Europe --...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Ukraine will attend a meeting in Istanbul on Monday proposed by Russia. "I outlined (Ukraine's) positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram after meeting with his officials. He added that the Ukrainian delegation would once again be headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.

The Kremlin expects Russia and Ukraine to discuss the list of conditions for a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine next week in Istanbul, its spokesman said on Friday, praising the U.S. role in mediating the talks. Russia has proposed holding the second round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. However, Ukraine wants to see Russia's proposals for a peace deal before it sends a delegation to Turkey, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Friday. -snip- "At the moment, everyone is focused on the direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations. A list of conditions for a temporary truce is being...

A high-level trilateral meeting between delegations from Türkiye, the US, and Ukraine concluded in Istanbul. (12:08) High-level US-Ukraine-Türkiye talks start in Istanbul A high-level trilateral meeting between delegations from Türkiye, the US, and Ukraine started in Istanbul on Friday under the leadership of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The US was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack, and Special Representative for Ukraine General Keith Kellogg, News.Az reports, citing Turkish media. Ukraine’s delegation included Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. The trilateral dialogue is focused...

President Donald Trump said he may travel to Turkey for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, as he doesn’t believe President Vladimir Putin would show if he isn’t there. "I don’t know if he’s showing up," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "I know he would like me to be there. And that's a possibility." -snip- The president noted that he has a "full day" scheduled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Thursday, and he’d planned on sending Secretary of State and interim national security advisor Marco Rubio. But, he added, "I don't know that [Putin] would be there...

Vladimir Putin will not show up for peace talks because his 25-year stranglehold on Russia ends if he yields, experts say. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to an offer of direct talks aimed at achieving peace, but Moscow said it would refuse to honour a ceasefire before and during any meeting. The showdown was tentatively set for Istanbul with US President Donald Trump saying he would show up, but the meeting has yet to be confirmed. The apparent foot-dragging by the Kremlin was seen as a deliberate ploy to continue a bloody war with its neighbour that has rumbled...

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the "way forward for a ceasefire" in Ukraine with European counterparts, including the foreign ministers of Britain and France, and the EU's foreign policy chief, the State Department said on Monday. Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha and his German and Polish counterparts were also on the call, according to the readout.