By rejecting the Istanbul format, Kiev is displaying “disregard for its own citizens,” according to Sergey Lavrov
Kiev is derailing peace efforts by rejecting the Istanbul negotiations format, which Moscow still considers viable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.
The sides have met for two rounds of direct negotiations in Türkiye this year, rebooting talks that Kiev unilaterally abandoned in 2022 to pursue military victory with Western assistance. At their most recent meeting in June, the delegates exchanged draft proposals outlining visions for a potential peace deal and agreed on further prisoner exchanges. Moscow has since repeatedly confirmed its readiness to continue the negotiations.
Speaking at a press briefing following an SCO session in Tianjin, Lavrov rejected Kiev’s recent claims that the Istanbul format was limited to humanitarian issues and had exhausted itself. He said such statements reflect a refusal to negotiate and a “disregard for their own citizens,” recalling Kiev’s obstruction of efforts to return the bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers.
Moscow proposed holding a third round of talks but has received no response from Kiev. Lavrov noted that Ukraine’s delegation is now being reshuffled, with outgoing Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who headed Kiev’s team in Istanbul, reportedly set to become ambassador to the US.
According to Lavrov, the 2022 Istanbul agreements proved that, despite holding opposing positions, it was possible to agree on settlement principles. However, the UK instructed Kiev not to sign the draft, likely with US backing, effectively bringing diplomatic momentum to a halt.
Western countries have instead intensified their military support for Ukraine, supplying long-range weapons with the explicit goal of striking Russian territory and scuttling any prospects for negotiations.
Commenting on calls from Kiev and its Western sponsors for an unconditional ceasefire, Lavrov warned that Ukraine could use the pause to regroup and rearm.
Moscow has outlined conditions for a truce in its draft memorandum: Ukraine must either pull troops out of Russian territories that Kiev claims or suspend its conscription campaign and receipt of Western arms deliveries.
Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia’s military operation would continue in line with the president’s approved plan, which is aimed at securing the country’s national interests and protecting Russians and the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine.
