Kyslytsia revealed Russia's condition for negotiations in Istanbul: Ukraine's capitulation before the meeting of leaders

At the meeting in Istanbul in May-June, Russia presented its ultimatum demands, which hindered real negotiations, said the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Serhiy Kyslytsia.

'It was a situation where the Russian side presented its ultimatum demands. This was not even a maximalist approach in the classical sense - it was a dynamic where you are faced with Russians who came with a mandate to dictate an ultimatum.'

The Ukrainian delegation came to the meeting with three goals, including establishing a ceasefire and building trust, but Russia rejected the possibility of a ceasefire before the leaders' meeting.

The Deputy Minister also emphasized the extraordinary importance of support from the U.S. for Ukraine and noted that the Ukrainian army today is the only one in Europe capable of defending the continent. He stressed that after Russia's aggressive war, its sovereignty is under threat, and the country has become dependent on unnatural partners.