Russia and Ukraine are gearing up for high-stakes peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, with both sides exchanging proposals aimed at ending the conflict. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the plans Wednesday, saying Kyiv awaits a Russian peace “memorandum” to ensure productive discussions. 💬
Umerov, leading Ukraine’s delegation, shared on Facebook that he’s already handed over Kyiv’s position to Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Moscow’s proposal for the Istanbul meeting, calling for international support to advance a “sustainable peace.”
The talks come after a May 16 meeting in Türkiye—the first face-to-face negotiations since March 2022. Diplomatic gears are turning: Lavrov also spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who emphasized former President Donald Trump’s push to “swiftly end the conflict.” Washington pledged support to bridge gaps between the sides. 🤝
With both nations finalizing their proposals, the world watches to see if June 2 becomes a turning point—or just another episode in this geopolitical drama. Stay tuned. 📅
