Russia ready to present its version of memorandum to Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2 - Lavrov

MOSCOW. May 29 (Interfax) - Russia is ready to present its memorandum with the terms of conflict settlement to Ukrainian negotiators and discuss it with them during direct talks in Istanbul on June 2, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"Our delegation led by Vladimir Medinsky is ready to present this memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and give the required explanations during the second round of resumed direct talks in Istanbul next Monday, June 2," Lavrov said in a statement published by the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

The memorandum outlines Russia's "position on all aspects of reliably eliminating the root causes of the crisis," Lavrov said.

"With the support of the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, it was made possible to create conditions for resuming direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations," the first round of which took place in Istanbul on May 16, Lavrov said.

"In accordance with the agreements reached there, an exchange of prisoners in the 1,000-for-1,000 format was conducted. At the same time, the parties agreed in Istanbul that Moscow and Kiev will draw up documents outlining the position of each side in order to achieve a sustainable settlement," Lavrov said.

Lavrov also thanked the Turkish side for providing a venue.

"We expect everyone who is sincerely, not just in words interested in the success of the peace process to support the holding of a new round of Istanbul direct Russian-Ukrainian talks," Lavrov said.

Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, for his part, said on Wednesday that the Russian delegation was ready for in-depth discussions on each point of the package agreement on a future ceasefire with Kiev.

Medinsky's media remarks have been published by Interfax.

"I've read the news circulated by all world news agencies that [Ukrainian Defense Minister and head of Ukraine's delegation to the talks in Istanbul] Rustem Umerov allegedly called me with regard to the memorandum that we allegedly have not prepared thus far, as if the Russians are in no hurry. I'll comment on it. It was almost as he said, but only the other way round," Medinsky said.

"It was me who called Umerov today [on Wednesday] and offered an exact date and place for a meeting to exchange the memoranda. There, we'll also be ready to start straightaway in-depth, substantive discussions on each point of the package agreement on a future ceasefire," he said.

"The Ukrainian side decided to take time to think it over. The consultation has apparently taken too long. We are awaiting their confirmation as soon as possible and stand ready to meet them in person and to start work on the date offered by us, in the coming days, in the interest of securing a lasting peace and salvaging human lives," Medinsky said.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that Turkey is expecting the Russia-Ukraine talks to continue in Istanbul.

"Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has expressed a wish for holding the second round of the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul. The Istanbul peace process will resume," the Anadolu news agency quoted Erdogan as saying.

Ankara stays in contact with both Moscow and Kiev and strives for enduring peace, he said.