Ukraine-Russia tension: Key negotiations set in Istanbul
Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv will meet on Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey, to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the Russian delegation, Turkey requested that the negotiations start "in the afternoon."
During a briefing in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the talks in Istanbul were postponed to the afternoon at the request of the Turkish side.
A source in the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted by Reuters, stated that the time for the meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul has not yet been scheduled.
"No time has been set for a meeting yet. In this respect, there is no question of a postponement," the quoted source asserted.
The fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance as the world watches Istanbul
According to earlier reports, Ukraine will be represented in the talks in Istanbul by President Volodymyr Zelensky, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Presidential Adviser Ihor Zhovkva, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The Kremlin announced on Wednesday evening that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will not be present in Istanbul. His adviser, Vladimir Medinsky, will lead the Russian delegation, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Admiral Igor Kostiukov, head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia.
Earlier, President Zelensky stated he would participate in talks with Russia only if Putin is also present.
