Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of obstructing the peace process by failing to present the promised memorandum for the talks. Zelensky warned international partners that Moscow was trying to fool those who still rely on diplomacy rather than pressure, the Kyiv Independent reported.

"Even the so-called memorandum that they promised and claimed to be preparing for more than a week - no one has seen it. Ukraine has not received it. Our partners have not received it. Even Turkey, which hosted the first meeting (between Moscow and Kiev), has not received the updated agenda," the Ukrainian president said.

Russia says its delegation, led by presidential adviser Volodymyr Medinsky, will present the ceasefire framework at the June 2 talks.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that the same Russian delegation led by Medinsky would participate in the new round of peace talks in Istanbul.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said that Kiev had already shared its position with Russia.

After a high-level meeting with Umerov, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha and Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Ermak Zelensky said Ukraine was maintaining daily coordination with allies ahead of another round of talks in Istanbul.

Zelensky called for renewed international pressure on Russia, saying, "Words don't work with Moscow. They are doing everything to derail these meetings. That's why sanctions and real pressure on Russia are essential."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, whose country hosted the May 16 talks, said Ankara expected the Ukrainian and Russian positions to converge.

"If there is a diplomatic achievement here, it is not only thanks to Turkish diplomacy, but to the fact that both sides were willing to talk and that these talks led to tangible results," Turkey's top diplomat said. | BGNES