Ukraine sends delegation to Istanbul amid ceasefire push
"Out of respect for President Trump, the high level of the Turkish delegation, and President Erdogan, and since we want to try to achieve at least the first steps toward de-escalation, an end to the war – namely a ceasefire – I have decided to send our delegation to Istanbul," stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday in Ankara.
What do you need to know?
- Ukrainian delegation: The Ukrainian delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rustem Umierow. The talks will take place in Istanbul, and their aim is to discuss the war situation with Russia.
- Russian representatives: The Kremlin is sending Vladimir Putin's adviser, Vladimir Medinsky, and other high-ranking officials to Istanbul.
- Zelensky's position: The President of Ukraine emphasises that the first step to ending the war should be an unconditional ceasefire.
The president conveyed at a press conference after meeting with Erdogan that the head of the Ukrainian delegation will be Defence Minister Rustem Umierow.
The head of the Ukrainian state pointed out the low level of the representatives sent by the Kremlin for the talks in Turkey.
Zelensky emphasised that the first step towards ending the war should be an unconditional ceasefire.
Before 3 PM GMT, after almost three hours, the meeting of the Presidents of Turkey and Ukraine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Volodymyr Zelensky, in Ankara, concluded.
The bilateral meeting of the leaders was closed to the press.
On Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey, delegations from Moscow and Kyiv will hold talks about the war in Ukraine.
Is Ukraine's fate being decided? Talks in Istanbul
The Kremlin announced on Wednesday evening that Russian leader Vladimir Putin would not be in Istanbul. His adviser Vladimir Medinsky will lead the Russian delegation. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, and the head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, Admiral Igor Kostiukov, will also go to Turkey.
Previously, President Zelensky said that he would only participate in talks with Russia if Putin were also there. Ultimately, on Thursday, he conveyed that a delegation would represent him.
The United States will be represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg.
