Second attempt at direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv expected in Istanbul

Today, a second attempt at direct talks between Moscow and Kiev is expected in Istanbul. The Russian delegation announced that it will be waiting for the Ukrainian side at 10:00 Moscow time (11:00 Yerevan time).

The negotiations were supposed to begin on May 15 at the same time. However, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, their start was postponed until the second half of the day, and then postponed several times.

At 12:00, Zelensky arrived in Ankara for a meeting with Erdogan and announced that he would make a decision on Ukraine's participation in the talks with Russia only after completing the dialogue with the Turkish president.

The WSJ, citing Ukrainian officials, wrote: “Kiev is ready to discuss only the issue of a 30-day ceasefire in Istanbul, without preconditions.”

The head of the Russian delegation, Medinsky, stressed that Moscow is ready for “serious professional work” aimed at eliminating the “root causes of the conflict.”

At 9:30 p.m., it became known that Zelensky’s office had confirmed the composition of the Ukrainian delegation, a total of 12 people, headed by Defense Minister Umerov.

US Secretary of State Rubio confirmed the participation of a representative of the US administration in the negotiations. According to him, Washington does not have high expectations, but based on the results of the negotiations, it will decide whether the meeting between Trump and Putin will take place.

Later, Trump himself stated that a settlement is impossible without his conversation with Putin.