ChatGPT 🦜has another idea of what "Istanbul-Plus" means than does the Duran, not unexpectedly informed by the "Western Narrative", it rather resembles the "28 points", i.e. is the polar opposite of "Istanbul-Plus"

> What ist "Istanbul-Plus" in the context of the so-called "Ukraine war"

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“Istanbul-Plus” is an informal shorthand, not an official treaty name. It’s used by analysts and diplomats to describe expanded versions of the draft peace framework discussed in Istanbul in March 2022 between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by Turkey.

What was the original “Istanbul” framework?

At the Istanbul talks (late March 2022), negotiators reportedly explored:

• Ukrainian neutrality (no NATO membership)
• International security guarantees for Ukraine
• Deferred negotiations on territorial issues (e.g., Crimea, Donbas)
• Ceasefire and withdrawal concepts

No agreement was signed, and the talks collapsed soon after.

What does “Istanbul-Plus” mean?

“Istanbul-Plus” refers to building on that Istanbul draft by adding or strengthening elements that were missing or seen as insufficient. The “plus” usually implies one or more of the following:

1. Stronger security guarantees
– Clear, binding commitments from guarantor states
– Faster or automatic responses to violations (stronger than political assurances)

2. Broader guarantor group
– Inclusion of additional major powers or organizations beyond the original ideas

3. Updated territorial and sovereignty provisions
– Reflecting realities that changed after 2022 (annexation claims, front lines)

4. Clear enforcement and verification mechanisms
– Defined consequences for breaches
– Monitoring regimes or peacekeeping components

5. Phased implementation
– Step-by-step ceasefire, withdrawals, sanctions relief, and reconstruction

How the term is used

• It’s not a formal proposal with a fixed text.
• Different actors use “Istanbul-Plus” to signal continuity with early diplomacy while acknowledging that any future deal would have to go further than what was discussed in 2022.
• The phrase often appears in policy debates, commentary, or back-channel discussions, not in official communiqués.

In short

“Istanbul-Plus” = the 2022 Istanbul peace concepts plus stronger guarantees, wider participation, and mechanisms adapted to later stages of the war.

If you want, I can break down which actors support or reject Istanbul-Plus-style ideas, or compare it to other peace frameworks that have been proposed since 2022.