Moscow reaffirms offer of direct Ukraine talks in Istanbul on Monday

Russia has reiterated it is open to holding a second round of direct talks with Ukraine on a possible ceasefire in Istanbul on Monday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks could provide an opportunity to discuss proposals from both sides, in comments carried by Russian news agency Interfax.

His remarks came after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Wednesday evening called on Russia to immediately provide its memorandum detailing its conditions for a ceasefire, arguing that “only a well-prepared meeting has the potential to produce tangible results.”

But Peskov rejected such a move, saying it would not be “constructive” to publicly discuss the negotiations.

“It is necessary to either confirm the willingness to continue negotiations – or to do the opposite,” said the Kremlin spokesman.

Ukrainian lead negotiator and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Wednesday that Kiev had already handed over its position paper to Moscow, shortly after the Kremlin proposed holding another round of talks.