Russia, Ukraine delegations head to Istanbul for 3rd round of talks
3 Min Read
Russia and Ukraine are set to hold a third round of talks in Istanbul, focusing on draft memoranda and prisoner exchanges.
-
Russian presidential aide, Vladimir Medinsky, right, and other members of the Russian delegation attend talks with the Ukrainian delegation at the Dolmabache Palace, in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday, May 16, 2025 (AP)
A Russian delegation is en route to Istanbul to participate in the third round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, as announced by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday.
"Indeed, our delegation has gone to Istanbul and, indeed, negotiations are planned there this evening," the Kremlin spokesperson told reporters.
The Ciragan Palace, where the talks are expected to start at 16:00 GMT, has been closed to the public, a palace staff member told RIA Novosti.
"Entrance is closed for today. There will be a meeting," the staff member said.
Only some cars are allowed to enter the palace grounds.
The Russian delegation, headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, maintains its previous composition as it participates in the talks, according to the official's statement.
Ukrainian delegation en route too
A source in Volodymyr Zelensky's office announced that the Ukrainian delegation has left for Istanbul, as reported by Ukraine’s Hromadske news outlet.
The Ukrainian delegation will consist of 14 members, led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.
Putin-Zelensky meeting in the works
Peskov also stated that the ongoing efforts to finalize draft memoranda between Moscow and Kiev regarding a potential settlement in Ukraine are part of the preparatory work for a possible future meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
When questioned about Russia's willingness to discuss a potential Putin-Zelensky meeting, Peskov responded to journalists by stating, "All the work that must be done to coordinate the memoranda is preparation for the meeting. In this regard, yes."
The official emphasized that arranging a potential meeting between Putin and Zelensky would be premature without substantial preparatory groundwork being completed first.
Kremlin: Russia, Ukraine to discuss draft memoranda in talks
During Wednesday's third round of talks in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine will address matters concerning draft settlement memoranda and ongoing prisoner-of-war exchanges, according to the Kremlin spokesperson.
"The issues that will be discussed will be primarily those related to the draft memoranda that were exchanged during the second round. Also, [there will be] a conversation on continuing the very important process of mutual exchanges. If necessary, of course, any other issues will be raised. Such decisions will be made by the heads of the delegations," Peskov stated.
He noted that the Moscow-Kiev discussions would prove challenging, explaining that the draft memoranda remain "diametrically opposed" to each other.
