Zelenskiy accuses Russia of another deception by holding back peace memorandum

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 29 that Russia was engaging in yet another deception by failing to hand over its peace settlement proposal ahead of a potential meeting between Moscow and Kyiv.

Even the so-called memorandum they promised and seemingly prepared for more than a week has still not been seen by anyone, Mr Zelensky said, in his nightly video address.

Ukraine has not received it. Our partners have not received it. Even Turkey, which hosted the first meeting, has not received the new agenda.

Despite promises to the contrary, first and foremost to the the United States of America, to President (Donald) Trump: Yet another Russian deception.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on May 28 that Moscow had drafted a memorandum outlining a settlement position in the three-year-old conflict in Ukraine.

He suggested a second round of direct talks take place on June 2, again in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who has maintained good ties with both sides, told reporters that Russias invitation for more talks had heightened Ankaras hopes for peace.

The road to a resolution goes through more dialogue, more diplomacy. We are using all our diplomatic power and potential for peace, Mr Erdogans office quoted him as saying.

In Washington, the White House said Mr Trump, who has been pressing both sides to move towards an agreement, hoped the proposed meeting in Istanbul would go ahead.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 29 that Moscow had received no reply from Kyiv on whether it would attend negotiations on June 2 in Istanbul .

Pressure push

Russia, Mr Zelensky said in his address, was doing everything to make the meetings hollow and Ukraines partners needed to intensify pressure on Moscow.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi