Russia has proposed a renewed round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, citing the Turkish city’s previous role as a host for negotiations between the two sides. However, Ukraine has yet to respond to the proposal, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.
Lavrov announced the offer during a press briefing in Moscow, stating that Russia remains open to diplomatic channels to resolve the ongoing conflict. “We are prepared to resume negotiations in Istanbul if Kyiv is genuinely interested in peace,” Lavrov told reporters. He emphasized that the format used in early 2022 talks, which were mediated by Turkey, remains acceptable to Moscow.
The Turkish government has not officially commented on Russia’s renewed suggestion, though Ankara has previously expressed its willingness to mediate between the two countries.
Lavrov criticized what he called Western interference in potential peace processes, saying the United States and some European nations continue to discourage Ukraine from engaging in dialogue. “The West does not want peace; it wants a weakened Russia,” Lavrov claimed.
Ukraine’s government has not released any formal statement in response to Lavrov’s remarks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration has maintained that any peace talks must include the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied territories and restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including Crimea.
Past rounds of talks in Istanbul broke down in 2022 without concrete progress, as both sides accused each other of negotiating in bad faith. Since then, military escalation has continued, with Ukraine launching counteroffensives and Russia carrying out missile and drone attacks on key Ukrainian infrastructure.
Analysts suggest Russia’s renewed call for talks may be aimed at easing growing international pressure and potential sanctions while appearing to support a diplomatic path. However, Ukrainian officials remain skeptical of Moscow’s intentions, accusing the Kremlin of using negotiations as a stalling tactic.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, clashes continue along the eastern front, with reports of intensified Russian artillery fire in Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Ukrainian officials say they are focused on defending key supply lines while international partners work to accelerate military aid deliveries.
Western leaders, including those from the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have consistently reiterated that any resolution must be determined by Ukraine and not imposed through external diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently emphasized that peace cannot come at the cost of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Russia’s renewed offer also comes amid wider global concern over the war’s impact on energy markets and food security, particularly in developing nations. Previous Istanbul talks included discussions around grain exports and maritime safety in the Black Sea.
As of now, there is no indication that Ukraine will accept the invitation, but observers are watching closely to see whether diplomatic pressure or battlefield developments shift either side’s stance.
The ongoing war, now in its third year, has caused thousands of deaths, displaced millions, and devastated Ukraine’s infrastructure, while also straining Russia’s economy under the weight of international sanctions.
Source; Al Jazeera
