Fidan: Russia and Ukraine have different requirements regarding ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine have different requirements for the implementation of a possible ceasefire, and at the moment, these need to be coordinated, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said this while speaking to journalists accompanying him on a train from Poland to Ukraine, where he is heading for a visit, Report informs via TRT.

"With the beginning of the negotiation process, I see that issues are starting to take a more serious form. In other words, both sides usually want a ceasefire, no one says they are against it. That would be difficult to explain to world public opinion. But on the other hand, both sides have different requirements for a ceasefire. These requirements need to be coordinated. That's what negotiations and mediation are for. While these requirements are being coordinated, they contradict each other to some extent. When we bring all this into balance, more concrete steps can be taken to achieve a ceasefire," said Fidan.

The minister explained that the Russian side raises the question of what it will specifically gain if a 30-day ceasefire begins. "If, for example, the war resumes after 30 days, why negotiate about it. Russia has certain conditions here. That is, the question of why we are now negotiating a ceasefire is, of course, important and legitimate. These conditions in case of war resumption are a matter open for negotiations," Fidan noted.

He believes that the positions of Ukrainians and Russians are far from each other, but through mediation, they can be brought closer. "Of course, America also plays an important role here. US President Donald Trump has the will; he wants to see a ceasefire immediately. At the moment, Ukraine and the European side have shown flexibility in adapting to the American position. If Russia cannot demonstrate the same level of adaptation and flexibility, it may actually find itself at a disadvantage in America's eyes," Fidan believes.