Moscow: On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, based on a previously abandoned agreement between Moscow and Kyiv reached in Istanbul in 2022. Speaking at a forum in Vladivostok, Putin emphasized that Russia has always been open to negotiations but criticized the “ephemeral demands” put forth by Ukraine.
“Are we ready to negotiate with them? We have never refused to do so, but not on the basis of some ephemeral demands, but on the basis of those documents that were agreed and actually initialled in Istanbul,” Putin stated. He highlighted that any potential negotiations must be grounded in the preliminary agreements established in Istanbul, which were never fully realized. However, Russia had earlier ruled out talks due to a reported Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region.
Putin further suggested that countries such as China, India, and Brazil could play a role as mediators in future negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. This proposal, reported by Reuters, indicates Moscow’s desire to involve key international players in the peace process.
The Istanbul agreement, reached in the early weeks of the conflict, was intended to serve as a foundation for peace but was never implemented. Putin’s remarks point to a potential revival of that framework as the basis for renewed discussions.
Interestingly, this development comes ahead of the BRICS summit scheduled to be held in Russia from October 22 to October 24 this year. The summit, which brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, could provide a platform for discussions on a mediated resolution to the conflict.
