US envoy updates on Ukraine-Russia talks, says E3 to show up to Istanbul

US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, provided an update on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting progress in discussions despite delays from the Russian side in submitting a response memorandum.

Speaking to reporters, Kellogg confirmed that a Ukrainian term sheet had been finalised following recent meetings in Paris and London. 

“We’ve got the Ukrainian term sheet, and that was the result of us coming out of Paris and London. There are 22 different terms on there that we think are pretty good. They are all reasonable,” the envoy stated in an interview to ABC, Caliber.Az reports. 

Kellogg noted that the proposal has not been met with enthusiasm by either side — which he interpreted as a sign of its balance. 

“We thought they were pretty good because neither of the sides really liked it,” he said.

According to Kellogg, during a recent conversation with President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin committed to delivering a memorandum within a week. However, no such document has yet been shared with US or Ukrainian officials.

“We haven’t seen it yet. The Ukrainians haven’t seen it,” Kellogg stated, adding that he had spoken with both the Ukrainian Chief of Staff and lead negotiator Rustem Umerov, neither of whom had received the Russian response. 

“I also talked to their lead negotiator Rustem Umerov, who will be the lead negotiator in the next talks in Istanbul. And he hasn’t seen it as well. I always caution him, you know, don’t say things like that because if you don’t show up, part of life is showing up[...]You need to show you’re serious,” he stated. 

Looking ahead to the upcoming negotiation round in Istanbul on June 2, Kellogg confirmed the presence of representatives from the so-called E3 — national security advisors from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

“When we were in London, they helped us mold a term sheet for Ukraine. They will be there as well, and we’ll get their feedback,” he added.

Moscow has yet to deliver the peace memorandum that Putin promised following his last call with Trump. The Kremlin claims the document is nearly finished. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposed new talks with Ukraine on June 2 in Istanbul, where he said the memorandum would be presented.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov on May 28 accused Moscow of stalling. Posting on X, he urged Russia to deliver its proposal in advance, noting that Kyiv had already submitted its version.

Some US policymakers are also pushing for tougher action against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of roughly 500 tankers that have helped Moscow skirt US and EU oil price cap sanctions.

By Sabina Mammadli