13.05.2025 16:02
U.S. President Trump announced who would represent his country at the Istanbul talks where the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations will take place. Trump stated that he would not be attending the Istanbul talks and that the U.S. would be represented by Special Representative Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff.
As negotiations, which are hoped to be a turning point in the Ukraine-Russia war, approach, the whole world is focused on Istanbul.
It was announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will only meet with his counterpart, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, at the summit to be held in Istanbul on May 15. A Ukrainian presidential advisor stated in a statement to Reuters that Zelensky would not meet with other members of the Russian delegation.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM THE KREMLIN
The Kremlin, in its first statement regarding the matter, indicated that the Russian delegation is preparing for the meetings in Istanbul. According to the statement, it will be announced when Putin deems appropriate who will represent Russia in the meetings in Turkey. Zelensky's words, "I will only meet with Putin in Turkey," remained uncommented.
"IT WILL BE A SIGN THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO END THE WAR"
The Ukrainian side evaluated Russia's presence in the negotiations with a statement made after the Kremlin. The statement included, "Putin's failure to come to Istanbul will be the final sign that Russia does not want to end the war."
TRUMP WILL NOT ATTEND
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously indicated that he could cut short his visits to Gulf countries and come to Istanbul if significant progress was made in the talks. Trump announced that he would not attend the Istanbul meetings and that the U.S. would be represented by Special Representative Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff.
ZELENSKY WILL BE IN ISTANBUL
The Ukrainian leader had stated that he was ready to meet with Putin in Istanbul for talks aimed at ending the war. U.S. President Donald Trump also signaled that he would participate in the talks if his schedule allowed. Russia, on the other hand, has not yet clarified whether it will attend the summit and at what level.
PUTIN SAID, "LET'S MEET IN ISTANBUL ON MAY 15"
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a press conference held in the capital Moscow a few days ago, "We are declaring a ceasefire for the third time in Ukraine," and proposed the unconditional resumption of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15.