The Russian delegation is ready to start negotiations in Istanbul. What is known by this hour

The Russian delegation is expecting Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul to resume negotiations that were interrupted in 2022. The head of the Russian mission, Vladimir Medinsky, said that the purpose of the meeting would be to establish a long-term peace. A delegation headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov left Ukraine for Istanbul. What is known about the preparations for the negotiations by this hour is in the Izvestia material.

Medinsky voiced Russia's position

• The head of the Russian delegation at the talks in Istanbul, Vladimir Medinsky, made a statement. According to him, the negotiating position was determined by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who held a meeting on this topic the day before. According to it, the current negotiations will be considered as a continuation of the peace process, which was interrupted in 2022.

• Medinsky stressed that the delegation sent to Istanbul has all the powers and competence to conduct negotiations. She is set up in a constructive way, searching for possible solutions and points of contact with the Ukrainian side. The main task is to achieve long-term peace by eliminating the underlying root causes of the conflict.

Medinsky made this statement at the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul in the presence of the entire visiting delegation. Immediately after, it was noticed how the cars of the Russian delegation left the territory of the Consulate General. It was planned that the Dolmabahce presidential office would become the venue for negotiations with the Ukrainian side. In this regard, the media concluded that representatives of the Russian delegation could have gone there.

• Before speaking at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation, Medinsky also briefly answered questions from journalists. Among other things, he said that the Russian side is ready for possible compromises and their discussion. He assured that the delegation was in a working mood and included representatives of all interested departments.

The composition of the Ukrainian delegation

• The Ukrainian leadership also announced its participation in the negotiations. President Vladimir Zelensky, who was in Ankara, announced the dispatch of a delegation to Istanbul headed by Defense Minister Rustam Umerov, who also participated in negotiations in Istanbul in 2022. Zelensky himself refused to leave the Turkish capital. He said that the main goal of the negotiations from Kiev would be a cease-fire.

• The Ukrainian leader informed about the time of the negotiations that they could take place on the evening of May 15 or May 16. Representatives of Ukraine also intend to meet with the US delegation at this time. The American mission is currently represented in Turkey at the level of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Territorial principles: how the dialogue between Russia and Ukraine can begin

And what is capable of disrupting the first direct negotiations in three years?

• Earlier in the day, Zelensky held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Umerov, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga and Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Ermak also attended the meeting. Following a nearly three-hour discussion, Erdogan said that Turkey was ready to host a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.

How do they react in the USA

• On May 15, US President Donald Trump continued his Middle East tour and left Qatar for the UAE. In an interview with reporters, he said that progress in resolving the Ukrainian conflict depends on his meeting with Putin. Trump expressed hope that such a meeting would take place as soon as possible.

• On May 15, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks in Antalya with NATO foreign ministers at an informal meeting. His office issued a statement saying that the participation of European countries and their leadership in the negotiation process is crucial for the success of the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations.