Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to lead the Russian delegation in discussions with Ukraine in Istanbul this Thursday, as reported by Azerbaijani news agency APA and Chinese broadcaster CGTN.
Additionally, Yuri Usakov, the Kremlin’s foreign policy aide, is also anticipated to be part of the delegation.
These reports remain unconfirmed by the Kremlin, which has yet to comment on whether President Putin will attend the peace talks in Turkey.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated today that Moscow is actively preparing for the upcoming negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul.
When asked for details about the Russian representatives in the talks, Peskov responded: “No. We will announce it once the president deems it necessary.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed today that he will be traveling to Turkey. There is also speculation regarding the potential attendance of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Zelensky indicated that he would first engage in discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara and would only proceed to Istanbul if Putin is present.
Mikhail Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian president, previously mentioned that Zelensky intends to negotiate solely with Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday, rather than with other members of the Russian delegation.
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