Thu May 29 13:28:05 UTC 2025: ## Stalled Peace Talks? Ukraine Demands Russian Proposal as Erdogan Urges Dialogue

**ISTANBUL/KYIV** – Hopes for a breakthrough in the Russia-Ukraine war are wavering as Ukraine demands Moscow reveal the details of its proposed peace memorandum before any further negotiations take place. This comes as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on both sides to embrace dialogue as a path to lasting peace.

Russia claims it has yet to receive a response from Ukraine regarding its proposal to hold a new round of ceasefire talks in Istanbul next week, where Moscow intends to present a memorandum outlining its key demands.

However, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov stated that Kyiv has already submitted its own proposal and is now urging Russia to reciprocate immediately. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi went further, suggesting Russia’s reluctance to share its plan indicated it likely contains “unrealistic ultimatums” and is designed to stall the peace process. “They are afraid of revealing that they are stalling the peace process,” he stated on X.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Ukraine’s demand as “non-constructive,” insisting Kyiv should simply confirm its readiness to negotiate.

Despite the current impasse, President Erdogan emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum for dialogue. “The road to a resolution goes through more dialogue, more diplomacy. We are using all our diplomatic power and potential for peace,” he said, urging both sides not to “close the door” to potential negotiations.

Previous direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Istanbul in May failed to yield any significant progress.

Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground continues. Ukrainian authorities reported that at least five people were killed in overnight Russian drone strikes across the country. Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed to have intercepted 48 Ukrainian drones, including 30 over the Belgorod region. The ministry also announced the capture of the village of Stroivka in the Kharkiv region and Gnativka and Shevchenko Pershe in the Donetsk region.

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