Moscow [Russia]: Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially announced the members of the Russian delegation for renewed peace talks with Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Turkey, later today, according to TASS.
Leading the Russian team will be Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, joined by several high-ranking officials from the foreign ministry, defence establishment, and military intelligence sectors.
Russia’s Delegation Includes Top Military and Diplomatic Officials
The full delegation includes:
- Vladimir Medinsky – Kremlin Aide, Head of Delegation
- Mikhail Galuzin – Deputy Foreign Minister
- Alexander Fomin – Deputy Defence Minister
- Igor Kostyukov – Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff (military intelligence)
To support the negotiations, a panel of experts has also been appointed:
- Alexander Zorin – First Deputy Head of the General Staff’s Information Department
- Yelena Podobreyevskaya – Deputy Head of the Presidential Directorate for Humanitarian Policy
- Alexey Polishchuk – Director, Second CIS Department, Foreign Ministry
- Viktor Shevtsov – Deputy Head, International Military Cooperation Directorate, Defence Ministry
Kremlin foreign affairs aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that the discussions would begin on Thursday in Istanbul, covering both technical and political aspects of the conflict.
Putin’s Call for Direct Talks
President Putin issued a formal invitation to Ukraine on May 11, proposing unconditional direct negotiations. The move is widely seen as a response to mounting international pressure and internal challenges facing the Russian military.
Zelenskyy Cautious, Eyes US Involvement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while acknowledging the talks, expressed deep skepticism over Russia’s motives.
“I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide which steps Ukraine should take,” Zelenskyy said on social media. “So far, the signals from them in the media are unconvincing.”
In a notable development, Zelenskyy mentioned that former US President Donald Trump is considering attending the talks, adding that his presence could serve as a “strongest argument” to influence outcomes.
“This week really may change a lot—but only may. Everything is being decided right now,” Zelenskyy added in his statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Zelenskyy Thanks Allies, Urges Global Pressure on Moscow
In the same message, President Zelenskyy thanked world leaders who are currently pressuring Russia to cease hostilities.
“Russia is only prolonging the war and the killings. I want to thank every country, every leader who is now putting pressure on Russia, so that the shelling finally stops, so that meaningful negotiations can take place at a level where real decisions can be made,” he said.
Significance of Istanbul Talks
The talks in Turkey mark a rare instance of high-level dialogue since early stages of the war. While both sides have engaged in limited negotiations previously, trust remains low, and progress has often stalled due to continued military offensives and irreconcilable political demands.
If the Istanbul round sees US involvement or high-level Western observation, it could alter the dynamics significantly. However, Zelenskyy’s hesitation reflects ongoing concerns over Russia’s sincerity in seeking a peaceful resolution.
Conclusion
As the world watches Istanbul, the upcoming hours could be pivotal for the future of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While Russia brings a robust diplomatic and military team, Ukraine remains in wait-and-see mode, seeking credible assurances before fully engaging in the talks.
Whether this marks a turning point or another diplomatic impasse will depend not only on what is said in the negotiation rooms—but also on what continues to happen on the battlefield.