Running late for talks? Here's when Witkoff and Rubio will arrive in Istanbul
Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will arrive in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Friday, May 16, reports The Guardian.
As the outlet reports, Witkoff told journalists that he and Rubio will head to Istanbul on Friday for talks regarding Russia and Ukraine. He also noted that it remains unclear whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will be present at the planned negotiations.
However, the potential talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul are scheduled for Thursday, May 15.
Talks in Istanbul
Following the three-day ceasefire declared by Vladimir Putin from May 8 to 11, Ukraine, together with its European partners in the Coalition of the Willing, issued a demand to Russia: a full 30-day ceasefire must begin on May 12. In case of refusal, the European Union threatened a new package of tough sanctions against Moscow.
In response, Putin stated that Moscow does not accept ultimatums and proposed to resume peace talks in Istanbul on May 15. Türkiye agreed to serve as a mediator in these negotiations.
Who will attend the talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he is open to direct negotiations with Putin personally.
US President Donald Trump also said he was considering traveling to Istanbul to take part in high-level talks if they take place. However, he later confirmed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would attend the Ukraine-Russia negotiations on behalf of the United States.
Read everything known so far about the potential talks in Türkiye in the report by RBC-Ukraine.
