Ukraine truce must support lasting peace
Any truce between Russia and Ukraine must support lasting peace and not simply be a ruse by Kiev to regroup militarily, senior Russian diplomat Rodion Miroshnik has warned. He was commenting on Ukraine's demands for a ceasefire ahead of direct talks with Russia, expected in Istanbul on Friday.
Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry's ambassador-at-large, stated that Kiev's focus on a 30-day unconditional truce signals a troubling divergence in the agendas of the two sides ahead of negotiations. Russian and Ukrainian delegations are expected to meet for the first time since 2022, when Kiev halted diplomacy in favor of seeking a military victory.
'We definitely realize that the Ukrainian side needs [a pause] to reinforce its positions, build new fortifications, deliver arms, regroup forces, etc. Which means reaching a new level of escalation in a month,' Miroshnik said on Friday. 'Naturally, that would be a move in the direction opposite of a resolution.'
He added that 'a ceasefire not integrated into a broader program for long-term settlement would not satisfy the Russian side.'
Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky had initially insisted on a truce as a prerequisite for talks, but seemingly softened his stance following pressure from senior US officials, who identified direct negotiations as the next step in Washington's mediation efforts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last week proposed restarting talks and requested that Türkiye again serve as host. Zelensky responded by announcing he would personally fly to Türkiye and expected Putin to do the same.
However, after Moscow clarified that its delegation to Istanbul would not be top-level, Zelensky dismissed Russian negotiators as 'theater props' and appointed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to lead the Ukrainian team. The talks are expected to begin later on Friday, one day later than planned.
Miroshnik criticized Ukraine's maneuvering, accusing it of trying to 'shift a pragmatic work process of talks towards a show.' He also reiterated doubts about Zelensky's legitimacy, pointing to the expiration of his presidential term last year.
'There are risks that any agreement signed in an unlawful way would be later fully disavowed,' Miroshnik said. 'Mechanisms for full legalization need to be part of the negotiations, where the parties could discuss some transition conditions.'
According to the Ukrainian Constitution, if a presidential successor is not elected in time, the speaker of parliament should assume the role. Zelensky has refused to hand over power and continues to govern the country.
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