Russia says it received Ukraine's draft memorandum on peace

MOSCOW / ISTANBUL

A senior Russian official said Sunday that Moscow has received Ukraine’s draft memorandum outlining a possible peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

Putin's advisor, Vladimir Medinsky, who would head the Russian delegation during peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, told Russia Today that the document was submitted in both Ukrainian and English.

“The Russian delegation previously received a version of the memorandum concerning a peaceful resolution from Ukraine,” Medinsky said.

He added that the language of the document was not an issue and noted that key points had already appeared in Western media.

Medinskiy also said Russia would announce its stance on the Ukraine issue on Monday.

On Sunday, Ukraine’s president said that his government will strive to achieve “at least some progress on the path toward peace” during talks set to take place in Istanbul, despite not receiving any ceasefire memorandum from Russia.

“The Russians have not shared their ‘memorandum’ with anyone. We don't have it, the Turkish side doesn't have it, and the American side doesn't have the Russian document either. Despite this, we will attempt to achieve at least some progress on the path toward peace.”