Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his views on the level and composition of the Russian delegation that participated in the negotiations in Istanbul. According to him, the level and composition of the representatives from the aggressor country indicate that they do not have the authority to make important decisions. This, in Zelensky’s opinion, demotivates the diplomatic negotiation process and destroys its meaning.
This is reported by Kyiv24
In his speech, he emphasized:
“The Ukrainian delegation has a mandate to make decisions. As we saw yesterday, Russia sent almost the same people as in 2022. They show that Russia has not changed its fundamental approach. They make many statements, many threats, but resolve nothing. They do everything possible to turn this Istanbul meeting into a staged empty process, just like in 2022. It is not us or the Western leaders who are disrupting the negotiations… it is the Russians who send empty heads to the talks. And this is what destroys the meaning of diplomacy.”
Consequences and Next Steps
Zelensky stressed that if the Russian representatives in Istanbul cannot agree to a ceasefire, it will be a clear signal that President Putin continues to undermine diplomacy and is preparing for further actions. At the same time, the Ukrainian leader emphasized the need to strengthen the relevant sanctions and pressure on the Russian energy sector and the banking crisis sector to achieve real progress in the negotiations.
Earlier that same day, a meeting of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations began in Istanbul, following the conclusion of trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the USA, and Turkey. The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, stated that their representatives would be waiting for the Ukrainian side from 10 a.m. on May 16. The composition of the Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, was also approved.