Arenii Pusharenko: Negotiations in Istanbul should lead to a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and russia to bring about a just and sustainable peace
24 July 2025, 10:41
The holding of the next talks with russia in Istanbul is another confirmation that Ukraine continues to make every effort to bring about a ceasefire and end the war. russia has not demonstrated such a desire. At the moment, it is important to try to arrange a meeting at the level of the leaders of Ukraine and russia, so that the top officials can conduct a dialogue on the approach of a just and sustainable peace.
This was stated by Arsenii Pushkarenko, MP, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation.
«Previous rounds of negotiations have convinced our partners, allies, key states and third countries that Russia is not committed to peace and a ceasefire. In particular, this is confirmed by the level of the Russian delegation arriving in Istanbul. It does not meet the level required for meaningful, key and crucial decisions. At the same time, our delegation includes representatives of various structures that are competent to talk about ensuring a ceasefire, both partial and complete. That is, Ukraine is working on this issue, it is our foreign policy priority,» - the MP noted.
According to him, attempts to arrange a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and russia, vladimir putin, are now important.
«It is the top officials who should lead the dialogue on a ceasefire and peace. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that he is ready for a public meeting with putin in various formats if it stops the war and brings peace on fair terms. Of course, this could be mediated by or with the participation of the presidents of the United States, Turkey, European leaders and representatives of third countries who are willing to join this process,» the MP emphasised.
He expressed his hopes that the third round of negotiations in Istanbul would bring new agreements, including on humanitarian tracks.
«All previous meetings have brought us the return of our boys and girls who were in captivity. Even some of those who were captured until 2022 have returned. The return of the severely wounded and the bodies of our fallen defenders is a crucial area of work. Every citizen is important to us,» he said.