Core Points - The meeting in Turkey aimed at restarting direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, but the absence of key leaders like Putin and Trump downgraded its significance [1] - Ukraine seeks substantial security guarantees from major powers, particularly the US, to enhance its protection beyond the 1994 Budapest Memorandum [1] - The potential for a peace agreement hinges on the balance between effective security guarantees and the risks of Western involvement in future conflicts with Russia [1] Security Guarantees - Ukraine demands security assurances that go beyond the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which only included respect for sovereignty and discussions in the UN Security Council in case of an attack [1] - The proposed negotiations may include strong security guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5, despite Ukraine not being a NATO member [1] Neutrality vs NATO Membership - Russia insists on Ukraine's neutrality and prohibits foreign military bases, while Ukraine asserts its right to choose alliances independently [3] - The US envoy stated that Ukraine's NATO membership is now unlikely, with Trump suggesting that past support for Ukraine's NATO bid contributed to the conflict [3] Territorial Disputes - Russia claims control over approximately one-fifth of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, a stance rejected by most countries [5] - The US may legally recognize Russia's control over Crimea and parts of other regions, while Ukraine firmly opposes any acknowledgment of Russian sovereignty over occupied territories [6] Sanctions and Energy Cooperation - Russia is skeptical about the immediate lifting of Western sanctions, while Ukraine insists on maintaining them [6] - There are discussions about potential energy cooperation, with speculation that the US, Russia, and Saudi Arabia may negotiate significant deals related to oil prices and exports [7] Reconstruction Efforts - Ukraine's reconstruction is estimated to require hundreds of billions of dollars, with European nations considering the use of frozen Russian assets for funding [9] - Disagreements over the allocation of these funds, particularly regarding Russian-controlled areas, could hinder the reconstruction process [9]