Lithuania does not expect significant results from Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys believes that the second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine will be unlikely to result in significant achievements.
Source: European Pravda; LRT, a Lithuanian public broadcaster
"It depends on the intentions and mood of the Russian delegation [at the talks - ed.]. If they are the same as last time, we know how it all ended. There was no real desire to negotiate and therefore no significant results related to the ceasefire. This will likely also be the case this time," the Lithuanian foreign minister said on Friday during a visit to Madrid.
Budrys said striving for a ceasefire to be implemented "unconditionally and immediately" is necessary.
"Only alongside the ceasefire can normal, full-fledged negotiations on ending the aggression take place. Both the United States and Europe must participate in such negotiations. There must be some results. (...) What we see now is just an imitation. Will Monday show that it is not an imitation? Most likely not, and that is why Ukrainians need even more support," Budrys said.
Background:
Russia declared that it wants another round of Istanbul talks with Ukraine on Monday 2 June, where its delegation will present a "memorandum" outlining Russia's proposals regarding a ceasefire and an end to the war.
Meanwhile, officials in Kyiv stated that to reach any outcomes during the talks, they must first read over the Russian "memorandum".
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British expatriates have enjoyed successful moves to Italy in recent seasons, most notably Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour's hero status since arriving in Naples — but also Kyle Walker, Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tammy Abraham (Milan), and, to a lesser extent, Dele (Como). The English contingent at Milan would be an attractive prospect to Grealish, but the best tactical option in Italy would surely be the newly crowned Serie A champions. If it were a transitional style that Grealish was looking for, then a glance over at the Bundesliga would certainly be worthwhile. Some might point to a potential Florian Wirtz-shaped hole that could need filling at Bayer Leverkusen, but Eintracht Frankfurt might actually be a more tactically interesting destination for Grealish's skillset. 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