Ukraine submits its 22-point memorandum to russia – NYT

Ukraine’s memorandum consists of 22 points, which contain the conditions for international monitoring of the ceasefire on land, at sea and in the air. It was reported by The New York Times on Friday, May 30, citing sources close to the development of the document.

Ukraine’s goal remains a ceasefire in order to only then move on to discussing a peace agreement, writes NYT. However, the aggressor country insists on discussing the “root causes”. US Special Envoy for Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg said that Ukraine’s memorandum includes 22 conditions that are “pretty good” and “reasonable”.

“A senior Ukrainian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations, said that the memorandum includes provisions for a ceasefire on land, at sea and in the air, with monitoring to be carried out by international partners,” the material says.

At the same time, some Ukrainian officials believe that russia may try to set up an ambush in Istanbul by offering unacceptable conditions for negotiations, such as withdrawing troops from Ukrainian-controlled territories, and after refusing to accuse Ukraine of disrupting the negotiations, writes NYT.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on May 30, US President's Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said that Washington recognizes the validity of the aggressor country russia's concerns about NATO expansion and is ready to negotiate on this topic.

On May 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a just peace will most likely become possible only after the departure of russian dictator vladimir putin.

Also on May 29, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported that Ukraine had conveyed to the russian side its vision of steps towards a ceasefire.