The head of the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, Rustem Umerov, following the results of the third round of negotiations with the Russian delegation, said that Kiev continues to insist on a full cease-fire without conditions, despite the fact that earlier in Moscow such calls were regarded as an opportunity to rearm Kiev.
"Ukraine continues to insist on a complete and unconditional ceasefire as a necessary basis for effective diplomacy. We are ready for a ceasefire now and for the start of negotiations on... peace… The cease—fire must be genuine, it must include a complete cease-fire on civilian and critical infrastructure," Umerov told reporters after the talks, broadcast by the Ukrainian media.
At the same time, the head of the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul thanked foreign partners and especially Turkey for its role in providing a platform for dialogue.
"We are grateful to our partners who support peace attempts, especially ... Turkey for its active role in providing a platform for dialogue and peace," Umerov said.
The third round of negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine was held on Wednesday at the Chiragan Palace in Istanbul and lasted about an hour. The Russian delegation was headed by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky. It also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov previously stated that Russian troops in battles with the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not strike at residential buildings and social infrastructure.
In May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the return to a neutral, non-aligned, nuclear-free status of Ukraine is one of the conditions of the Russian Federation for the settlement of the conflict on the Ukraine. Earlier, the minister noted that the calls coming from Europe about the need for an unconditional cease-fire on Ukraine is designed to use this time to rearm Kiev. According to him, European calls for a truce are being heard after several years of a completely different position, when the EU and NATO rejected any negotiations with Russia until Ukraine gets a stronger negotiating position and strikes Russia is a strategic defeat.