Kremlin still keeping delegation composition for Istanbul talks under wraps
Photo: Dmitry Peskov (Getty Images)
Russia will not disclose the composition of its delegation for the upcoming talks in Istanbul without direct orders from President Vladimir Putin, stated Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, according to TASS.
When asked by journalists when Russia would reveal who would be sent to Istanbul for negotiations with Ukraine, Peskov responded:
"It has not been disclosed yet. When the President (Putin - ed.) gives the order, we will do it," he said.
Peskov also responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement expressing readiness for direct talks with Putin in Istanbul.
"Listen, we are assessing only Putin's statement, who suggested that the delegations hold talks on Thursday in Istanbul. Our delegation will be there and will wait for the Ukrainian side," the Kremlin spokesman added.
Talks in Istanbul
Putin proposed holding talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday, May 15. Zelenskyy agreed to the idea but made it clear he expects Putin himself to be present at the negotiating table
Russia has not yet responded to this idea, but it is known that if Putin does come to Istanbul, US President Donald Trump may attend the talks.
Trump said some time ago that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would travel to Istanbul. A number of media outlets also reported that the United States will be represented in Türkiye by special representatives of the US President Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg.
However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Russia would like to raise the topics it had previously discussed during the talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. In particular, the recognition of the occupied territories as Russian.
