Tense standoff as Ukraine-Russia talks hit Istanbul delay
Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv will meet on Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey, to discuss the war in Ukraine. According to the Russian side, Turkey requested that the negotiations begin "in the afternoon."
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing in Moscow that the talks in Istanbul were postponed to the afternoon at the Turkish side's request.
According to a source from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cited by Reuters, a date for the meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul has not yet been determined.
The cited source explained that since the meeting time has not yet been set, there is no basis for discussing any postponement.
The fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance. The world watches Istanbul
According to earlier information, Ukraine is to be represented in the talks in Istanbul by: President Volodymyr Zelensky, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Presidential Adviser Ihor Zhovkva, and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
The Kremlin announced on Wednesday evening that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will not be present 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 Kostyukov, will also travel to Turkey.
Earlier, President Zelensky said that he would participate in talks with Russia only if Putin is also present.
