ISTANBUL

The Kremlin on Thursday defined remarks from Ukraine concerning the transfer of Moscow’s draft peace memorandum to Kyiv as “unconstructive.”

“Russia actually proposed to meet in Istanbul on Monday and begin discussing these projects. Therefore, demanding immediate action is not constructive,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in the Russian capital Moscow.

On Wednesday, Russia proposed holding the second round of direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2, declaring its readiness to present its draft memorandum to Kyiv and provide the necessary clarifications during these talks.

The Turkish metropolis hosted the first round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years on May 16 and the two countries agreed to a large-scale exchange of prisoners involving a total of 1,000 people from each side.​​​​​​​

Both sides, during the talks facilitated by Türkiye, also agreed to continue negotiations for a truce.

“Here, one can either confirm the readiness to continue negotiations or do the opposite,” Peskov further said, adding: “So far, as far as I know, no response has been received (from the Ukrainian side).”

A day prior, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said he conveyed his country’s draft memorandum to Moscow, reaffirming Kyiv’s readiness for a “full and unconditional ceasefire and continued diplomatic engagement.”

Umerov further accused Moscow of delaying the delivery of its draft memorandum to Kyiv, and that Ukraine is waiting for Russia’s document “so that the meeting won’t be empty and can truly move us closer to ending the war.”