Russian delegation arrives at the Consulate General of Russian federation ahead of the statement of the Russian delegation in Istanbul, Türkiye on May 15, 2025. (AA Photo)
By Newsroom
May 16, 2025 08:54 AM GMT+03:00
Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first direct peace negotiations in nearly three years on Friday in Istanbul, with delegations from both countries now confirmed.
The talks, hosted by Türkiye, will also include U.S. representation as international diplomacy intensifies around the long-running conflict.
At 10:45 a.m. local time, Türkiye is expected to host a trilateral meeting involving representatives from Türkiye, the United States, and Ukraine at the Presidential Dolmabahce Working Office in Istanbul, according to sources from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Following the first session, at 12:30 p.m. local time, Türkiye will convene a second trilateral meeting with Russian and Ukrainian officials at the same location, according to a diplomatic source.
ISTANBUL, ANKARA – MAY 15: Vladimir Medinskiy, Counselor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaks to press during the statement of the Russian delegation in Istanbul, Turkiye on May 15, 2025. ( Cem Tekke?ino?lu – Anadolu Agency )
Delegations prepare for critical negotiations
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Ukrainian delegation headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and a Russian
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a decree forming an official delegation to participate in the peace negotiations. The Ukrainian team, scheduled to meet with Turkish, Russian and U.S. officials, will be headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The Ukrainian delegation includes several high-ranking officials from the country’s military and security apparatus, including deputy ministers and intelligence representatives, signaling the seriousness with which Kyiv is approaching the talks despite reservations about Moscow’s intentions.
ANKARA, TURKIYE – MAY 15: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Turkish capital to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkiye on May 15, 2025. ( Muhammed Selim Korkutata – Anadolu Agency )
Composition reveals different approaches
The Russian delegation, headed by Putin’s advisor, will include Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Director Igor Kostyukov and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin.
The list of experts in the Russian delegation includes Deputy Director of the Information Department of the Russian General Staff Aleksandr Zorin and Deputy Director of the State Policy Department of the Russian President for the Humanitarian Field Yevgeniya Podobreyevskaya, as well as Director of the Second Department of the Commonwealth of Independent States Countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry Aleksandr Polishchyuk and the Deputy Director of the Main Directorate of International Military Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense Vladimir Shevtsov
