Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the delegation he will send to the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Turkey, a move he proposed to advance negotiations over the conflict in Ukraine.

Just over an hour before midnight in Moscow on May 14, the Kremlin revealed the names of the officials representing Russia in the upcoming talks. The delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a Kremlin aide with a background in diplomacy and Russian historical policy.

Medinsky, Kremlin aide and delegation head

Born in Soviet Ukraine, Vladimir Medinsky previously helped lead the 2022 peace negotiations with Ukraine, which ultimately failed.

At the time, Medinsky stated that an agreement with Kiev was unlikely without Ukraine’s demilitarization, de-Nazification, and the recognition of Crimea and Donbass's independence, where the term “de-Nazification,” as used by Russia, refers to the effort to remove far-right nationalist groups and influences within Ukraine’s military and political structures, which Moscow views as a threat.

Educated at the prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Medinsky authored a history textbook and other books, including "Myths about Russia" (published in 2015). He also chairs the Russian Military Historical Society.

Medinskiy’s Myths About Russia is a book that tackles popular myths and controversial topics in Russian history. It explores questions about Russia’s culture, historical events, and national identity with a mix of humor and analysis. Topics include the role of vodka, the true outcomes of battles like Borodino, and Russia’s contributions to inventions such as petrol, mobile phones, and cinema. 

Military intelligence and diplomatic experts

The delegation also includes top military and diplomatic officials:

Mikhail Galuzin, deputy foreign minister overseeing relations with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), is fluent in Japanese and English.

Igor Kostyukov, director of the Russian military intelligence agency GRU (now known as GU), was notable for being the first naval officer to lead the powerful intelligence service.

Alexander Fomin, a deputy defense minister who took part in the 2022 Ukraine talks.

Additional experts approved by Putin will support the negotiations, including Alexander Zorin, a key figure in Russia’s military intelligence operations; Yelena Podobreyevskaya, deputy head of the Kremlin’s humanitarian policy directorate; and Alexei Polishchuk, director of the Foreign Ministry’s Second Department of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) department.

The composition of Putin’s delegation highlights the Kremlin’s intent to bring a blend of diplomatic, historical, and military expertise to the talks in Turkey. With figures deeply involved in previous negotiations and intelligence operations, Russia aims to strengthen its position in the peace process with Ukraine.