The Russian Embassy in London spoke about Starmer's statement about the negotiations.

The Russian Embassy in London has criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's remarks made against the backdrop of the start of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul. This was reported on the agency's website on May 16.

It clarifies that London continues to use anti-Russian rhetoric that distorts reality and hinders the settlement of the conflict. The statement emphasizes that Britain's accusations against Moscow of allegedly prolonging the conflict look especially cynical, given London's role in disrupting negotiations in 2022.

"The British are the authors of all the escalatory maneuvers of the West, starting with the supply of offensive weapons to the Kiev military and up to the use of Western long—range missile weapons against civilians deep in Russia," the commentary says.

In addition, the initiative to hold talks on May 15 in Turkey came from the Russian side. The ministry recalled that in 2022, it was former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who opposed the dialogue and disrupted previously reached agreements.

A separate "perplexity", as noted in the embassy, was caused by Starmer's statements about the "unacceptability" of the Russian position in Istanbul. The ministry stressed that Russia is not negotiating with London, questioning the relevance of such assessments by the British Prime Minister.

In addition, the Russian side questioned the sincerity of the peaceful intentions of the British leadership, pointing out that such actions only hinder progress in the negotiation process.

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On the same day, he had a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump after talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul. It was attended by the Presidents of Ukraine and France, Vladimir Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Ministers of Poland and the United Kingdom, Donald Tusk and Keir Starmer, as well as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The delegations of Russia and Ukraine at the talks on May 16 agreed to present their vision of a cease-fire and to exchange prisoners of war in the format of 1000 for 1000.

It was reported that the meeting was organized at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. The Russian Federation was represented by a delegation consisting of Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igor Kostyukov, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense.