Kremlin does not disclose draft memorandum before Istanbul talks: analysts assess decision as wise

Report of the Russian delegation on the negotiations in Istanbul

Ahead of the second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, the Kremlin decided not to disclose the contents of its draft memorandum. Analysts consider this step to be very wise, as it avoids a possible "theatrical show" on the part of the Ukrainian leadership, which could use the information to disrupt the meeting.

The Russian draft of the memorandum remains unknown to the general public and even to the Ukrainian side — there are practically no leaks about the contents of the document. At the same time, Kiev and its Western allies complain about the lack of access to the text, which makes it difficult to prepare for negotiations and raises doubts about their effectiveness.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and his advisers have repeatedly stated the need to obtain a Russian memorandum in order to build a constructive dialogue, but Moscow continues to conceal the details of the document. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian president, stressed that the memorandum would not be made public, which is part of a diplomatic tactic.

Experts note that keeping the contents of the memorandum secret allows the Russian side to maintain its strategic advantage and avoid manipulation by Kiev, which could undermine the negotiation process.