“ Diplomacy in a dead end – so you can characterize the expected peace talks in Istanbul, which gradually moved from May 15 to May 16. Initially, the new date of the meeting was stated by the American delegation, then the intentions to stay in Turkey in the day were informed by representatives of Ukraine.”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
Diplomacy in a dead end – so you can characterize the expected peace talks in Istanbul, which gradually moved from May 15 to May 16. Initially, the new date of the meeting was stated by the American delegation, then the intentions to stay in Turkey in Turkey was informed by representatives of Ukraine.
Judging by contradictory statements and uncertainty on almost all issues – from the level and composition of the delegations to the time of the negotiations – to expect some progress in peaceful settlement is unlikely to be. The situation is more reminiscent of unsuccessful negotiations that took place in Istanbul in 2022.
UA.new tells how the situation in Istanbul developed on May 15 and how it resembles previous failure. 
The composition of delegations
The meeting in Istanbul was planned in a four -sided format with the participation of Ukrainian, Russian, American and Turkish delegations. However, the status and time of negotiations was difficult to predict, since until the last moment it was not disclosed who would sit at the negotiation table by Russia.
Although Putin himself initiated negotiations in Istanbul, he did not dare to fly there. In Moscow, until the last moment, they were drawn to the approval of the delegation, which called into question the fact of negotiations. In the end, the composition was published.
Delegation of Ukraine. The negotiations decided to send a delegation under the direction of the Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would join the negotiations only if there is Putin.
Presidential Office Andriy Ermak, Presidential Diplomatic Advisor Igor Zhovkva and Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, who came to Istanbul the day before, also flew to Turkey.
“There were signals of direct negotiations. The Ukrainian side has confirmed them today (May 15 – Ed.) It was here in Ankara. As for our level, the delegation we have at the highest level, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my office, military, representatives of our intelligence in order to make any decisions that can lead to fair peace ”– Zelensky reported during a visit to Turkey.
The Head of State also noted that Ukraine has decided to send a delegation to Istanbul “out of respect for Trump and Erdogan and in an attempt to reach at least the first steps to end the war.”
The Ukrainian side expressed a willingness to start a dialogue if the Russian delegation is ready for “serious negotiations”. But if the Russian delegation does not demonstrate a serious approach to negotiations, “we will have the right to conclude that it is a Russian game, not a meaningful work for the good of peace,” Western media reported, citing their own source among Ukrainian representatives.
US delegation. Initially, US President Donald Trump, who was visiting the Middle East, said he could personally fly to Istanbul to a meeting of leaders of Russia and Ukraine. But then Trump decided to send US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Istanbul, as well as the special messengers of Steve Witcoff and Kita Kelloga.
Delegation of the Russian Federation. Putin sent his advisor and low rank officials to Istanbul, explaining that some of them participated in previous negotiations held in Istanbul in 2022. Among them:
Medinsky Vladimir – Putin’s assistant, was the head of the delegation in Istanbul and 2022. It is interesting that the head of the Russian delegation was born in Cherkasy region, in the city of Smila. It is now considered one of the ideologues of Russian fascism, actively promoting Putin’s policy, being as a Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.
Galusin Michael – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Publicly repeatedly emphasized that Russia is ready to seek its goals for “demilitarization and denacification of Ukraine”.
Kostyukov Igor – Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Russian Federation (GRU). The game has recently been accused of organizing sabotage throughout Europe, including arson, cyberattacks and a breakdown of underwater cables.
Fomin Alexander – The Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation was also part of the previous delegation in Istanbul.
In general, the Russian side is represented by officials who do not have the authority to make decisions on ceasefire or other issues related to war. The composition of the Russian delegation was commented by the President of Ukraine Zelensky, emphasizing that the Russian Federation prepared for negotiations at the “Butaphor level”.
The Russian Federation wants a return to Istanbul Agreement 2022
Putin’s adviser Vladimir Medinsky stated that “Istanbul agreements, parished on March 29, 2022 in Russian and Ukrainian delegations, should be the basis for peaceful settlement in 2025.”
We will remind in March 2022 the negotiations in Istanbul in the first stage were held as a meeting of foreign ministers of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba and the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov through the mediation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mevluta Chavushoglu. Subsequently, the negotiations continued at the level of delegations.
Issues discussed by the parties in 2022:
- Compensation from the Russian Federation for Destruction in Ukraine,
- cease-fire,
- the ceasefire formula,
- withdrawal of troops.
In particular, the Kremlin demanded the neutrality of Ukraine, refusal of NATO membership and restrictions on the number of the army. Instead, Kyiv insisted on guarantees from the West and the right to defense.
Similar questions remain relevant for current negotiations.
Politician statements about Istanbul negotiations on May 15
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy During a press conference in Ankara stated:
“Trump’s position is to press on both two sides. I believe that we were pressed more. “
“If Russia does not demonstrate real willingness to end the war, Ukraine will ask the US, the EU and the countries of the global south to impose rigid sanctions against the Russian Federation.”
US President Donald Trump He stated that without his meeting with Putin progress in the armistice there will be no:
“There will be nothing until Putin and I meet. And obviously he was not going to go. He was going to go, but he thought I would go. He was not going to go if I wasn’t there. “
Trump also said that he was not disappointed with the level of the Russian delegation in negotiations with Ukraine in Turkey, because he “knows nothing about it.”
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslav Sikorsky He stressed that the arrival of a low -level delegation to Turkey is an attempt to win time:
“We hope that the President of the United States will see what it is, and will make the right conclusions.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte He noted that he was sent The Kremlin delegation without real powers testifies to Moscow’s reluctance to conduct constructive negotiations:
“The ball is now on the side of
France’s European and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barro It believes that Russia has sent a technical delegation to Turkey to avoid sanctions:
“We have an empty chair – a chair that was waiting for Putin despite the fact that President Trump expressed his willingness and desire to promote negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Of course, Putin will send a technical delegation to negotiate with the Ukrainian side today in Turkey. As Russia, of course, wants to avoid large -scale sanctions against oil and financial sector prepared by the United States and Europeans if Russia continues to refuse to cease fire. “
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