Putin approves delegation for talks with Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of the delegation representing Russia in the negotiations with Ukraine. The text of the decree was published by the Kremlin.

The negotiating team will include Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of Russia (head of the delegation), Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Foreign Minister, Igor Kostyukov, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense.

Ukraine has not yet announced the composition of its delegation, but according to Radio NV, the country will be represented by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Chief of the Presidential Administration Andrey Yermak, Presidential Diplomatic Advisor Igor Zhovkva, and Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiha. Zelensky has already left for Ankara.

The negotiations in Istanbul are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Yerevan time at the working office of the Turkish Presidential Administration.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Zelensky will meet in Ankara. Erdogan apparently does not plan to meet with the Russian delegation.

US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US President's Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, may also participate in the talks.

Recall that Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to start direct talks in Istanbul on May 15 to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

Zelensky's office reported that the president would not participate in the talks in Istanbul if Putin was not personally present.