Putin follows Istanbul talks online

Vladimir Putin, photo: Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin is promptly receiving information about the progress of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul.

This was reported by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, TASS reports.

According to him, Russian representatives have clear instructions on their position in the talks, which were agreed upon during a meeting with Putin. The Kremlin also suggests that Putin may hold an important international telephone conversation on 16 May. In particular, Peskov stressed the importance of a meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia continue in Istanbul. The Ukrainian side is represented by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, as talks at the level of Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin have not yet taken place.

The Russian delegation is headed by Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, a former culture minister known for his statements, which are often propagandistic. It was he who led the negotiations on behalf of the Russian side during the failed round in 2022. According to him, the new meetings in Istanbul are seen as a continuation of the then process.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed dissatisfaction with the composition of the Russian delegation, but decided to send a Ukrainian team to Istanbul to preserve even a minimal chance for dialogue.