Russia is showing contempt not only for Ukraine, but also for all partner countries working to achieve peace, including Turkey and the United States; Moscow’s destructive position is the main obstacle to negotiations.
This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by Naryman Dzhelialov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Turkey.
“At the moment, Russia is showing blatant disregard not only for us, but also for all partner countries working to achieve peace, including Turkey and the United States,” Dzhelialov said.
According to him, Turkey is an important facilitator in the negotiation process, and Ukraine is grateful for this.
“But meaningful negotiations are only possible if Russia respects international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty,” the ambassador said.
Regarding the prospects for peace talks in Turkey at the level of the President of Ukraine and the head of Russia, he noted: “President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated his readiness for such a meeting. But so far, the main obstacle is Russia’s destructive position — its insincerity, its desire to use negotiations as a tool of pressure rather than to achieve peace.”
Dzhelialov believes that Ankara has certain tools to put pressure on Russia, but cannot force the Russian Federation to take a constructive position on its own—this requires coordination with other influential actors.
As reported by Ukrinform, on the initiative and with the mediation of Turkey, meetings between the Ukrainian and Russian negotiating teams took place in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2. During the first meeting, an agreement was reached on the exchange of prisoners in a “1000 for 1000” format. During the second round, an agreement was reached on the exchange of prisoners of war in two categories: seriously wounded soldiers and young soldiers under the age of 25, in an “all for all” format.
The Russian side submitted a “memorandum” for peace negotiations based on it, which contained demands that contradict the Constitution of Ukraine and international law.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 10 that further negotiations with Russia are possible only after the completion of the agreed exchanges.
Photo: Embassy of Ukraine in Turkey
Source: Russia disregards Turkey and US efforts in peace process - Dzhelialov
