Ukraine demands written peace proposals from Russia before proceeding with talks in Istanbul next week, as tensions rise following Moscow’s largest aerial attack on Ukrainian soil.
At a Glance
- Russia proposed a second round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul for next Monday but has not shared its “peace memorandum” with Kyiv
- Ukraine insists on receiving Russia’s written proposals in advance, considering refusal to provide them as non-constructive
- The proposal comes after Russia’s largest aerial attack on Ukraine, involving hundreds of drones and missiles
- President Trump has set a two-week deadline for Putin to make progress on ceasefire negotiations
- The United Nations expressed minimal hopes for peace in the ongoing three-year conflict
Russia Proposes New Istanbul Talks While Withholding Peace Terms
Moscow has invited Ukraine to a second round of peace negotiations in Istanbul scheduled for Monday, but tensions remain high as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has shared “specific proposals” with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio while refusing to provide Ukraine with the same information. This diplomatic maneuver follows Russia’s most extensive aerial bombardment of Ukraine to date, raising questions about Moscow’s sincerity in pursuing peace. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness to negotiate but rejected implementing a ceasefire as an initial step.
Ukraine has submitted its own peace terms and now awaits Russia’s memorandum before committing to further discussions. Moscow claims it will present its position on what it considers the “root causes” of the crisis during the Istanbul meeting. Russian demands reportedly include Ukraine withdrawing from annexed regions, halting NATO’s eastward expansion, lifting sanctions, and resolving issues related to frozen Russian assets.
US wants to restore diplomatic forum with Russia
Lucas Leiroz, member of the BRICS Journalists Association, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, military expert.
Apparently, some sectors of American society want to reestablish fruitful peace talks between NATO and… pic.twitter.com/ywywt28CY4
— Lucas Leiroz (@leiroz_lucas) May 17, 2025
Ukraine Demands Advance Documentation
Ukrainian officials remain firm in their position that productive talks require advance review of Russia’s proposals. Moscow’s reluctance to share its peace framework has heightened suspicions in Kyiv about Russia’s intentions. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has expressed concern that Russia’s unwillingness to provide documentation suggests the proposals may contain “unrealistic ultimatums” rather than a genuine framework for negotiations.
Previous talks in Istanbul yielded only a prisoner exchange and promises to maintain contact, with no substantial progress toward ending the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of making meetings unproductive while calling for increased international sanctions. Despite these challenges, Turkey’s President Erdogan continues urging both parties to maintain dialogue.
Off Leash update 15 May
UKRAINE
•Pres. Putin stood Pres. Zelensky up for today's peace talks in Turkey – which Putin himself had proposed on Sunday in an effort to avoid new sanctions EU leaders had threatened to nudge him towards talks. Zelensky grumbled that Putin's absence…— ErikDPrince (@realErikDPrince) May 15, 2025
US Involvement and Ultimatums
The United States has taken a more assertive role in the peace process under the Trump administration. Following discussions between Putin and Trump on May 19, the American president set a two-week deadline for Russia to demonstrate progress in ceasefire negotiations. This timeline puts significant pressure on the upcoming Istanbul talks. While Trump has increased diplomatic pressure on Putin, he has not yet implemented new sanctions against Russia.
US diplomat John Kelley has warned that continued Russian aggression could prompt the United States to withdraw from mediation efforts entirely and impose additional sanctions. This stark message underscores growing American frustration with Russia’s approach to negotiations while Russian forces continue to make military advances, capturing villages in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Kharkiv regions.
Ongoing Military Actions Cast Shadow Over Talks
Despite diplomatic overtures, Russian forces continue military operations across Ukraine. Local Ukrainian authorities report ongoing drone, missile, and artillery strikes resulting in civilian casualties. Russia has captured additional villages in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, further strengthening its position ahead of negotiations. These military actions raise serious questions about whether Russia genuinely seeks a negotiated settlement or is merely buying time while consolidating territorial gains.
The three-year conflict has inflicted significant casualties and destruction across Ukraine. The United Nations has expressed pessimism about peace prospects, noting that hopes for a resolution remain minimal. As both sides prepare for the Istanbul meeting, international observers continue monitoring developments closely, recognizing that this diplomatic effort represents one of the few remaining opportunities to find a peaceful solution to Europe’s most devastating conflict in decades.
