The Russian Foreign Ministry has said that today’s Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul have been postponed to the afternoon of 15 May.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the meeting was postponed at the initiative of the Turkish side. Her words are quoted by Russian state media.
They also quote Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that he responded negatively to the question whether Russian leader Vladimir Putin could attend the talks in Turkey.
Meanwhile, in Istanbul, hundreds of journalists are waiting outside the Dolmabahce Palace, where the Russian-Ukrainian talks are scheduled to begin: hundreds of journalists are on duty outside the building in the morning.
The Wall Street Journal quoted Ukrainian officials as saying that the Ukrainian delegation was ready to discuss only a 30-day ceasefire at the talks in Istanbul.
Earlier, The Washington Post’s sources said that Zelenskyy was disappointed with the preparation of the talks and suggested that the Ukrainian delegation should not fly to Istanbul. According to the publication, Kiev’s US and European allies persuaded the Ukrainian leader to send their representatives to the talks.
The Washington Post notes that the US president’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, Steve Whitkoff, finally managed to convince the Ukrainians that participation in direct talks with the Russians is a win-win situation for everyone.
The composition of the Ukrainian delegation to the possible talks has not been officially announced. According to the mass media, it may include the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Andriy Yermak, and Foreign Minister Andriy Sibyga.
On the evening of 14 May, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the negotiating group he had identified. In addition to Putin, the meeting was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Rosgvardiya head Viktor Zolotov, Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and FSB head Alexander Bortnikov, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Putin’s participation in the talks and said he was ready to talk to him personally.
The Kremlin did not confirm Putin’s participation at first, and on the evening of 14 May announced the composition of the delegation, where he was not present.
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that a delegation from Moscow had arrived in Istanbul to take part in the talks with the Ukrainian side.