Statement from Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide on Russia's unwillingness to make peace
News story | Date: 04/06/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
At the meeting in Istanbul this week, Russia again showed no real willingness for peace or negotiations. The proposals Russia put forward to Ukraine contained the same demands it has made previously, including international recognition of the annexed territories as Russian and restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces.
These demands - and Russia's continued brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians - show that Russia's war aims remain unchanged. The talks in Istanbul took place in the immediate aftermath of the largest Russian drone strikes against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion.
On the other hand, we see Ukraine engaging constructively in the talks. We support Ukraine's proposal for an unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just and lasting peace. Ukraine has also proposed a summit between President Zelensky and Putin to make progress in the negotiations, but Russia has stalled progress on this proposal. Although the meeting in Istanbul did not lead to progress on the issue of a ceasefire, it was positive that the parties agreed on the exchange of prisoners of war.
Together with allies and partners, we are working to strengthen Ukraine and put pressure on Russia, including through sanctions. This is the only way to change Russia's war calculus, which is necessary to achieve a just and lasting peace.