ISW: Before the negotiations in Istanbul, the Kremlin reiterated its main demands.

Before the start of negotiations in Istanbul, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov once again expressed the Kremlin's position. This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), according to the publication 'Glavkom'.

Kremlin representatives assert that any resolution to the conflict must include a change in Ukrainian leadership and impose restrictions from the West.

Russian officials repeatedly use the term 'denazification', demanding a regime change in Ukraine and the establishment of a pro-Russian government in Kyiv.

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War also note that Russia has identified the 'root causes' of the conflict, among which, according to them, are NATO expansion, discrimination against Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine, restrictions on Russian media and culture, and violations of 'security guarantees' from the West.

Ryabkov's statements reflect the Kremlin's long-standing efforts to achieve its pre-war demands, which call for NATO to abandon its open-door policy and establish a pro-Russian government in Kyiv, disregarding recent attempts by the Kremlin to simulate interest in talks.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, but later it became known that Putin would not come to Turkey and approved the composition of the Russian delegation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he was ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey, while US President Donald Trump would not participate in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey.

Reaction and readiness for negotiations

In the context of the Kremlin's expressed position and the proposal for Ukrainian 'denazification', Russian analysts emphasize the readiness for tough negotiations regarding Ukraine's future from Russia and the international community's reaction to these actions.