The expert pointed to Ukraine's desire to delay the dialogue with the Russian Federation.

The meeting of the delegations of the Russian Federation and Ukraine did not take place on Thursday in Istanbul, negotiations may take place on Friday, May 16. Moscow and Kiev have declared their readiness to start a dialogue. However, experts interviewed by Izvestia believe that Kiev is trying to delay the dialogue with Moscow.

Istanbul 2.0: what is known about possible negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on May 15

Information about the meeting level was not disclosed.

"Ukraine's strategy at the current stage is to delay the settlement process. Kiev hopes for a slow evolution of the administration of [US President Donald] Trump's support for Ukraine is being used to pressure EU countries, Britain and the Papal See," said Ivan Loshkarev, associate professor of Political Theory at the MGIMO Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Meanwhile, the Russian Federation's strategy is clear — negotiations without conditions, that is, discussion of the entire range of problems without exception, the expert emphasized. The speeches of Russian officials always mention the "deep causes" of the conflict in Ukraine, so the Russian side does not accept any restrictions.

Towards nightfall, Vladimir Medinsky stated: From 10 a.m. on May 16, the Russian delegation will be waiting for the Ukrainian side, which is due to arrive at the meeting. He stressed that representatives of the Russian Federation are ready to work and have arrived in Istanbul for direct bilateral talks with Ukraine without preconditions.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Request for time: the delegations of Russia and Ukraine have postponed the date of negotiations