Ukraine pushes for Zelensky-Putin meeting in Istanbul
The Ukrainian side wants to discuss a direct meeting between President Zelensky and Putin in Istanbul. A Ukrainian diplomatic source explains why this is important for them.
A Ukrainian diplomatic source informed the AFP agency that the Ukrainian delegation hopes to discuss a direct meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Istanbul.
A source stated that, given the understanding that Putin is the sole decision-maker, the Ukrainian delegation’s action plan will include efforts to arrange a potential meeting between President Zelensky and President Putin.
Talks in Istanbul
On Friday, in talks lasting about one hour in Istanbul regarding the war in Ukraine, the heads of diplomacy from the USA, Ukraine, and Turkey participated: Marco Rubio, Andrii Sybiha, and Hakan Fidan.
At the next meeting on Friday, representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey are expected to participate. The Ukrainian side reported that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov would lead their team. Putin's advisor, Vladimir Medinsky, will head the Russian delegation.
For a while, it seemed possible that in Turkey, Putin and Zelensky would personally discuss the negotiations. The President of Ukraine was ready for such a meeting, but the Russian leader decided not to come to Istanbul.
