Putin Greenlights Russian Delegation for Ukraine Talks in Istanbul

On May 14, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially approved the composition of the Russian delegation set to engage in negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul. This announcement was made by the Kremlin’s press service.

The delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a presidential aide who previously served as Minister of Culture and participated in earlier negotiations with Ukraine in 2022. Other key members of the delegation include Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

Scheduled for May 15, 2025, these talks will mark the first official high-level dialogue between Russia and Ukraine since previous negotiations faltered in 2022. Turkey, traditionally seen as a mediator in the conflict, has facilitated the resumption of dialogue, proposing Istanbul as a neutral venue for discussions on ceasefire and prisoner exchanges.

The Ukrainian delegation is expected to be led by Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, although the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appears unlikely. Sources in Kyiv suggest that Zelensky considers negotiations at the delegation level “unequal” and is advocating for direct conversations with leaders of nations that guarantee Ukraine’s security.

These negotiations occur amidst ongoing hostilities and a complex international landscape, highlighting the urgency and significance of the discussions in Istanbul.