Brussels, May 16 (LaPresse) – "Russia has not changed its basic approach. It makes many statements, many threats. We resolve nothing. They are doing everything possible to turn one of these Istanbul meetings into a theatrical and hollow process, just like in 2022. It’s not us or the Western leaders who are breaking off negotiations, as the Russians have claimed for years—it’s the Russians who send empty-headed delegates to the talks, and that destroys the meaning, the essence of diplomacy."
"So, if it turns out that the Russian delegation is just theatrical and unable to produce any results today, the world must respond. A strong reaction is needed, including sanctions against the Russian energy sector and banks. Pressure must continue to increase until concrete progress is made. Ukraine is ready to take all realistic steps to end this war. I call on Putin to give his delegation real authority. And we must completely stop the killings long enough to give diplomacy a real chance."
"This week, we had a real chance to take important steps toward ending this war, if only Putin had not been afraid to come to Turkey," he emphasized. "Yesterday I was in Ankara and I was ready for a direct meeting with Putin, in Ankara or in Istanbul—not just for a meeting, but to resolve all the important issues, all those that I believe are important. But he refused everything. I mean, Putin. And you can also see that the Russian delegation that came to Istanbul is of very low level. Nevertheless, I am sending our team to Istanbul, led at least by the Ukrainian defense minister, to see whether those Russians are actually able to make decisions: our number one priority is a complete, unconditional, and honest ceasefire."
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