15.05.2025 11:00
Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a strong delegation to Turkey for peace talks with Ukraine. The delegation is led by Kremlin advisor Vladimir Medinsky. Additionally, experienced figures such as Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin are part of the delegation.
The delegation sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Turkey for peace talks with Ukraine has been announced. The Kremlin revealed the names of the participants shortly before midnight on May 14.
Leading the Russian delegation is Kremlin advisor Vladimir Medinsky. Born in Ukraine, Medinsky also led the unsuccessful peace talks in 2022. A graduate of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Medinsky played a significant role in the preparation of school textbooks reflecting Putin's historical perspective. In these books, the achievements of the Soviet Union are praised, while its collapse is viewed as a humiliation, emphasizing Russia's "rebirth" during Putin's era. He is also the president of the ultra-nationalist Russian Military History Society.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin is also part of the delegation. Galuzin is responsible for relations with former Soviet countries and speaks Japanese and English.
Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin is an experienced figure who participated in the 2022 Ukraine talks.
One of the most notable names is Igor Kostyukov, the director of Russian military intelligence GRU. Kostyukov, who heads one of the world's most powerful intelligence agencies, is known as the first naval officer to lead the GRU.
Putin has also approved the list of experts who will participate in the talks:
Alexander Zorin: Deputy Head of the General Staff's Information Directorate, born in Ukraine, played a significant role in Russian operations in Syria.
Yelena Podobreyevskaya: Deputy Head of the Kremlin's Humanitarian Policy Department.
Alexei Polishchuk: Director of the Foreign Ministry's Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova desk.
V. Shevtsov: Deputy Head of the International Military Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defense.
This team appointed by Putin consists of high-level political, military, and intelligence officials, demonstrating the importance Russia places on the talks.