Latest news with #SerhiiKyslytsia
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ukrainian diplomat on US position at UN: Ceasefire must be unconditional and immediate
Statements by the United States at the United Nations demonstrate the utmost clarity of their position on a ceasefire in Ukraine: it must be unconditional and immediate, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Serhii Kyslytsia says. Source: Kyslytsia commenting on the shift in rhetoric of US diplomats regarding Russia during the last two UN Security Council sessions, as cited by Ukrinform Quote: "Two consecutive statements by the United States at the [UN] Security Council show that their position is absolutely clear: the ceasefire must be unconditional and immediate." Details: Kyslytsia reiterated that Ukraine had long declared its readiness to accept such a ceasefire, but Russia categorically rejected the possibility of an unconditional ceasefire during talks in Istanbul. Quote: "It is also important that Washington, through its representatives in New York, stated that Ukraine is not an obstacle to establishing a regime of unconditional ceasefire." Details: He noted that both US statements – on Thursday and Friday – are "important, particularly in the context of the expected meeting in Istanbul on 2 June". Kyslytsia emphasised that any statement made at the UN Security Council reflects the official position of the state, not the personal opinion of a diplomat. Background: Earlier, Kyslytsia revealed that on 16 May, Russian delegates, led by Vladimir Medinsky, made threatening and inflammatory remarks, including Medinsky's claim that the war against Ukraine is "Russians killing Russians". On 16 May, direct talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul for the first time in more than three years. Media reports stated that during the talks, the Russians demanded the exclusion of US representatives from the negotiations with Ukraine and presented a number of unacceptable conditions. Russian representatives voiced several demands to the Ukrainian delegation during a closed meeting in Istanbul on 16 May, setting out the conditions under which Moscow was ready to cease fire. Among them were Ukraine's renunciation of territories and claims for reparations. Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation in Istanbul, said during the talks that Russia was ready for an endless war against Ukraine and threatened to seize Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. "We fought Sweden for 21 years. How long are you ready to fight?" he asked the Ukrainian side. Kyslytsia described the Russian delegates, particularly Medinsky, as behaving like "gangsters" and issuing direct threats to the Ukrainian side. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine's memorandum proposes ceasefire across land, air, and sea, NYT reports
Ukraine's proposed memorandum to Russia includes provisions for a ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea, to be monitored by international partners, the New York Times (NYT) reported on May 30, citing an unnamed senior Ukrainian official. Ukraine has submitted its document to the Russian side ahead of a second round of peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow that may take place in Istanbul on June 2, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on May 28. The points reported by NYT echo Ukraine's and its partners' long-standing call for a comprehensive, unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days — a proposal Russia has consistently ignored. The peace talks in Istanbul also concluded on May 16 with no agreement between the two sides on a ceasefire. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia, who was present at the Istanbul talks, said that Russia's negotiating team in Istanbul has repeatedly stated that "an unconditional ceasefire is categorically unacceptable." Moscow has proposed June 2 as the date for the next round of talks with Ukraine, despite escalating its attacks on the country. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 29 that the Russian delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, is prepared to present the ceasefire memorandum to the Ukrainian side and provide necessary clarifications during the next Istanbul meeting. Presidential Office Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said that Ukraine is ready to hold the new round of talks next week but insists on receiving the memorandum in advance. Reuters reported that Putin's conditions for ending Russia's war against Ukraine include a written pledge by NATO not to accept more Eastern European members, lifting of some sanctions, and Ukraine's neutral status, among other demands. Read also: Infighting around EU rearmament undermines grand ambitions for European defense We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia 'categorically' rejected unconditional ceasefire in peace talks, Ukrainian official says
Russia's negotiating team in Istanbul has repeatedly stated that "an unconditional ceasefire is categorically unacceptable," Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia said in an interview aired on March 24 on Ukraine's national telethon. Kyslytsia was present in Istanbul last week, as Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met on May 16 to begin the first direct peace talks between the two countries in three years. The Ukrainian team emphasized during the talks that both the Ukrainians and Americans continue to propose an unconditional ceasefire as the next step in a peace negotiating process, Kyslytsia said. "I do not think that (the Russian negotiating team's) directives had a position that allowed for the possibility of reaching an agreement with the Ukrainian side on a ceasefire," Kyslytsia said. The peace talks in Istanbul concluded after less than two hours with no agreement beween the two sides on a ceasefire. After the talks concluded, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that Moscow has no interest in agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine, saying on May 21 that "we don't want this anymore." A source in the Ukrainian President's Office briefed on the talks confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that Moscow's delegation insisted that Ukraine retreat from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, despite Russia not fully controlling any of them. The only concrete agreement from the discussions was the arrangement of a major prisoner swap, which was completed on May 15. Read also: Ukraine brings home 307 POWs in 2nd phase of major prisoner swap with Russia We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia's Medinsky claims Russo-Ukrainian war is "Russians killing Russians" at Istanbul talks
Serhii Kyslytsia, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister and a member of the Ukrainian delegation at talks with Russia in Istanbul, revealed that on 16 May, Russian delegates, led by Vladimir Medinsky, made threatening and inflammatory remarks, including Medinsky's claim that the war against Ukraine is "Russians killing Russians". Source: Kyslytsia, in an interview broadcast on Ukraine's 24/7 joint news cast on Saturday 24 May Quote from Kyslytsia: "The stream of vitriol, threats, cynicism and immoral statements was almost continuous. You've heard about their lengthy pseudo-historical rants, demands for 'four regions today, eight or six tomorrow', or threats that 'some delegation members may lose more relatives'. At one point, the head of the Russian delegation said, 'Essentially, war is when Russians kill Russians, with certain nuances'. They deny our existence as a nation, telling us to our faces: 'You are not Ukrainian, you are Russian, and we are just killing you – Russians killing Russians'." Details: Kyslytsia noted that the Russian delegation, acting under strict Kremlin directives, lacked the mandate to negotiate in the presence of US representatives, a condition they imposed before the talks. The Turkish hosts were present but did not participate. Despite Ukrainian and US proposals for an unconditional ceasefire, the Russians categorically rejected this, stating that "an unconditional ceasefire is categorically unacceptable". Background: On 16 May, delegations from Ukraine and Russia held direct negotiations in Istanbul. Media reports stated that during the talks, the Russians demanded the exclusion of US representatives from the negotiations with Ukraine and presented a number of unacceptable conditions. Russian representatives voiced several demands to the Ukrainian delegation during a closed meeting in Istanbul on 16 May, setting out the conditions under which Moscow is ready to cease fire. Among them are Ukraine's renunciation of territories and claims for reparations. Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation in Istanbul, said during the talks that Russia was ready for an endless war against Ukraine and threatened to seize Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. "We fought Sweden for 21 years. How long are you ready to fight?" he asked the Ukrainian side. Kyslytsia described the Russian delegates, particularly Medinsky, as "behaving like gangsters" and issuing direct threats to the Ukrainian side. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia rejects unconditional ceasefire at Istanbul talks
Serhii Kyslytsia, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister and a member of the Ukrainian delegation at the talks with Russia in Istanbul, has revealed that the Russian delegation categorically rejected an unconditional ceasefire during negotiations on 16 May. Source: Kyslytsia in an interview broadcast on the Ukrainian 24/7 joist newscast on Saturday 24 May Details: Kyslytsia noted that the Russian representatives operated under strict Kremlin directives, which did not allow for any agreement on a ceasefire with Ukraine. Quote from Kyslytsia: "It was a highly experienced delegation, but they lacked the mandate to deviate from their instructions. They strictly followed Kremlin directives, voicing them and apparently fulfilling them. I do not believe that their directives included any possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine." Details: Despite proposals from both Ukrainian and US representatives for an unconditional cessation of hostilities, the Russian delegation showed no willingness to agree. Quote from Kyslytsia: "They stated several times during the negotiations: 'An unconditional ceasefire is categorically unacceptable.'" Background: On 16 May, delegations from Ukraine and Russia held direct negotiations in Istanbul. Media reports stated that during the talks, the Russians demanded the exclusion of US representatives from the negotiations with Ukraine and presented a number of unacceptable conditions. The Russian representatives voiced several demands to the Ukrainian delegation during a closed meeting in Istanbul on 16 May, setting out the conditions under which Moscow is ready to cease fire. These included Ukraine giving up its territories and claims for reparations. Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation in Istanbul, said during the talks that Russia was ready for an endless war against Ukraine and threatened to seize Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. "We fought Sweden for 21 years. How long are you ready to fight?" he asked the Ukrainian side. Kyslytsia described the Russian delegates, particularly Medinsky, as "behaving like gangsters" and issuing direct threats to the Ukrainian side. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
