Putin names aide Vladimir Medinsky head of delegation to Ukraine talks
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Russian President Vladimir Putin approves the official Russian delegation for the upcoming Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, including key military and diplomatic figures.
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Vladimir Medinsky, Russian Presidential Aide, speaks to journalists on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of the Russian delegation for talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday.
The delegation will be headed by Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Other confirmed members include Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Head of the Russian General Staff’s Main Department Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
The Kremlin statement also noted that Putin has approved a group of experts to support the delegation during the upcoming negotiations with Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul set for Thursday, marking a potential breakthrough in diplomacy since 2022.
“The Russian delegation will be waiting for the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul on May 15,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier.
Ukrainian response hinges on Putin’s attendance
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had quickly agreed to participate in the Istanbul negotiations but conditioned his attendance on Putin’s.
A Ukrainian diplomatic source stated that Kiev would decide its next steps based on whether or not Putin attends.
“Everything will depend on whether Putin is scared of coming to Istanbul or not. Based on his response, the Ukrainian leadership will decide on the next steps,” the source emphasized.
Ukraine waiting to see who would represent Russia before next steps
On Wednesday, Zelensky said his country was waiting to see who would represent Russia at the Istanbul talks before determining Ukraine's next steps.
"I am waiting to see who will arrive from Russia and then I will determine what steps Ukraine should take. The signals in the media so far are unconvincing," he said in his nightly video address.
He said Putin, instead of considering the talks, "continues to strike Ukraine."
"In fact, it is now more obvious to the entire world than at any other point during the full-scale war ...that the only obstacle to establishing peace is the lack of a clear will from Russia to do so," the Ukrainian leader added.
Trump considering Turkey visit if Putin attends
US President Donald Trump had urged both leaders to attend the Istanbul talks and suggested that his own attendance is still under consideration.
“(Putin) would like me to be there, and that's a possibility... I don't know that he would be there if I'm not there. We're going to find out,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Qatar.
He confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, would be sent to Turkey, while leaving open the possibility of joining the talks himself.
Trump is advocating for an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling it Europe’s largest land war since World War II. Zelensky has backed this ceasefire, while Putin insists that such terms should be addressed during the negotiation process.
A Russian lawmaker suggested that the talks may also cover a potential prisoner of war exchange, adding another layer of importance to the discussions.
Read more: Trump urges Kiev to join Putin talks 'IMMEDIATELY' to end 'BLOODBATH'
Lavrov will not take part in Istanbul talks
Despite some media reports that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov may attend, Kommersant, a newspaper known for its close ties to the Russian Foreign Ministry, reported on Wednesday that Lavrov would not be present.
Possible additional sanctions on Russia
Trump, visibly frustrated by the continued hostilities, said he is “always considering” secondary sanctions against Moscow should it appear to obstruct the peace process.
US officials have also floated the idea of financial sanctions and penalties targeting buyers of Russian oil.
Read more: Russia dismisses sanctions pressure over Ukraine ceasefire proposal
