When I wrote my previous post, shortly after the ‘peace talks’ ended in Istanbul yesterday, only the barest details were known of the discussions made at that meeting. I concluded, based on the short duration, that ‘nothing happened’. Subsequent revelations show that was not at all the case. Though there was only time for the statement of the barest of cases by both sides (trivialities needing to be dealt with first), and the post-meeting statement by Russia’s chief negotiator not revealing much in the way of detail, quite a lot remained hidden until now. I shared the RT article which repeated the full statement as a late edition of my post. And while it does not, on the face of it, say much, what it does say is important. Here it is again…
Russia’s top negotiator outlines key outcomes of Istanbul talks (FULL STATEMENT) – RT
…the third key point of the report being – “…we agreed that each side will present its vision of a possible future ceasefire, outlining it in detail. Once these visions are presented, it has been mutually agreed that it would be appropriate to continue our negotiations.”
A “vision of a possible future ceasefire” – with details? Well the details are now emerging. Simplicius, as is his wont, has rooted a few things out.
Russia Stands Firm in Istanbul as EU-Cabal Runs Out of Options – Simplicius – May 17, 2025
It seems that the intransigence of Ukraine, up to and during the very brief 2 hour Istanbul talks between Russia and Ukraine, which was conducted entirely in the Russian language and with no foreign presence apart from the Turkiyesh hosts, has now cost Ukraine twice as much territory to gain a future peace agreement as on the basis to which Russia was offering this time.
The Ukraine, for its part, and seemingly their only interest, demanded for a 30 day ceasefire to be agreed. Russia refused. Russia, on the other hand, demanded Ukraine forces withdraw from the four oblasts already legally declared to be part of the Russian Federation. And in addition, another four, unnamed oblasts, presumably Sumy, Kharkov, Odessa and Nikolayev – two of which, Russian forces have already entered – will need to be given up by Ukraine for any future peace negotiations to proceed. And it is quite interesting to note that both sides, and I quote (RT article) – “Once these visions are presented, it has been mutually agreed that it would be appropriate to continue our negotiations.”.
How fascinating. But to what end? What’s to talk about? Except ‘total capitulation’ (do I need to say…) by Ukraine. Or does that need to be settled on the battlefield? Which, incidentally, Russia is winning, hands down ….and (final point emerging from Russia’s statement) which is a victory Russia intends to keep fighting for, no matter how long it takes to conclude on its own terms. And, of course, these are not empty words. Russia has the power, and the means, and the national will, to see it through.
Not Something Else 
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