"Zelensky will meet only with Putin in Istanbul" - Podoliak

Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, answered the question of “The Breakfast Show” whether Zelensky will meet with other Russian representatives in Istanbul on May 15 if Putin does not go there.

“No, of course not. This is not an appropriate format. The president cannot meet ... We understand the structure of power in Russia. And it is clear that even people with the official status of ministers are unlikely to be authorized to make decisions. Only Putin can make decisions on whether to continue or stop the war,” Podoliak said.

In response to the question of how Zelensky will be able to have a direct meeting with Putin, given the ban on direct negotiations in the country, Podoliak said:

“I think that this decision of the National Security and Defense Council will be amended. And if we are going to sign any legally approved document, I think that legal adjustments will be made ... the necessary legal regulations will be adopted.”

Recall that Putin had previously rejected the idea of ​​a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. Instead, he proposed holding direct talks between Kiev and Moscow in Istanbul on May 15. Zelensky accepted the offer and said that he would personally wait for Putin there that day.