High-level talks between Ukraine and Russia are set to resume in Istanbul on Friday, with Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosting the delegations. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, will engage in direct negotiations with the Russian side, headed by Presidential Advisor Vladimir Medinsky.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he is sending a delegation to Istanbul to negotiate with Russia, despite the “rather low level” of the Russian delegation. Zelenskyy expressed his respect for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President-elect Donald Trump, which motivated his decision to send the delegation.
Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, stated that his team has full authority to discuss all matters necessary for resolving the conflict. He emphasized that the goal of the direct negotiations is to achieve long-term peace and called for a constructive approach to find common ground.
The US delegation, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will also participate in the talks. The format of the meeting has not been determined yet. The involvement of the US delegation is expected to play a significant role in facilitating the negotiations.
The talks aim to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Both sides have expressed their commitment to finding a solution, with Medinsky emphasizing the need for a constructive approach. The outcome of the talks remains to be seen, but the fact that direct negotiations are taking place.