Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will be represented at upcoming peace talks in Istanbul, repeating the nation's pledge to resolve the conflict with Russia, even though he will not attend the negotiating table personally.
Addressing journalists at the Ukrainian embassy in Ankara following talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, Zelensky said that Ukraine will be represented at the Istanbul talks.
Although Ukraine is willing to engage in dialogue, Zelensky showed doubt regarding Russia's real motives, as per Xinhua news agency.
He pointed out that Ukraine does not observe "any decision-makers" among the Russian delegation who are scheduled to attend the talks.
The Ukrainian team will be headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and feature experts like military and intelligence officials. Zelensky said that they are expecting both Washington and Moscow to confirm the exact timing of the talks, which are anticipated to take place on Thursday or Friday.
Zelensky further added that he would agree to direct talks if the issue of an unconditional ceasefire is to be negotiated at the leaders' level.
From the Russian side, Vladimir Medinsky, chief of the Russian delegation and chief advisor to President Vladimir Putin, said that his delegation has the expertise required to carry out effective negotiations. His promise was to work towards "possible solutions" and striving for areas of commonality using a positive approach.
Talking outside the Russian consulate in Istanbul, Medinsky characterized the new Istanbul talks as a "continuation" of the peace process broken in 2022. He stated that their aim is to attain durable peace by "dealing with the root causes of the conflict.
Meanwhile, after a NATO meeting of foreign ministers in Antalya, Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commented that both Ukraine and Russia have generally signaled willingness for a ceasefire, although their positions diverge: Ukraine favors an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, whereas Russia demands to agree upon some conditions beforehand.
Fidan stated that the talks have arrived at a crucial point and urged the two sides to make concessions and take steps toward a common peace deal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who participated at the same NATO summit, voiced Washington's preference for a negotiated settlement.
"We will see what transpires in the next few days in that respect, but we would like to see some progress," Rubio said.
These Istanbul negotiations follow the recent invitation by Russian President Putin to resume direct talks with Ukraine, which he announced on Sunday.
Zelensky has shown previous willingness to meet one-on-one with Putin; however, the Kremlin assured that Putin will not be present at the negotiations.
The previous direct talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul in March 2022 and ended without a deal to stop fighting.
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