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It’s been a weekend of intense diplomatic flurry, and there’s a lot to concider when calculating the odds of the two Head-of-States meeting.
It’s been a weekend of intense diplomatic flurry, and there’s a lot to concider when calculating the odds of the two Head-of-States meeting.
Zelenskyy issues challenge
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy has challenged Russian President, Vladimit Putin, to meet in person in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday. The two Head-of-states haven’t communicated directly with each other since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.
Intense diplomatic weekend
The challenge was issued after an intense weekend were Western leaders demanded Russia to respect a 30-day ceasefire starting monday or face increased sanctions – Russia has rejected the demand.
Putins response
In an unusual move, Moscow responded with a statement read out to journalists in a room at the Kremlin. The statement accused Ukraine of breaking previous ceasefires, but also said that “despite this”, the two parties could meet for talks.
With or without Putin?
The big unknown is whether the Russian President, who is known to rarely leave Russia, especially with short notice, will be in Istanbul Thursday. The parties have previously negotiatied, but the Russian President has never been present at the meetings.
Previous meeting as basis for new talks
Yuri Ushakov, a top Putin aide, said Sunday, that any new negotiations should be based on the first round of Istanbul talks held in the Spring of 2022. Leaked drafts from these negotiations suggests that Moscows terms would be an effective surrender for Ukraine.
More than 100 drones during the night
Putin had announced a unilateral ceasefire during the weekend to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the end of WW2. After the ceasefire ended when Sunday turned to Monday, Ukraine was reportedly attacked by Russia with more than 100 drones.