Critical summit in Istanbul: Russia-Ukraine negotiations begin
Critical developments are taking place in the Russia-Ukraine war, which has entered its third year. Delegations from both sides have met in Istanbul. Two separate trilateral meetings will be held today, hosted by Turkey. While the statements from Putin and Zelenskyy are drawing attention, the conditions for a new negotiation process are also on the table.
12punto
As the Russia-Ukraine War enters its third year, all eyes have turned to Istanbul. Two critical trilateral meetings are being held today in Istanbul, the city where the first serious contacts for peace are taking place.
According to the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a meeting will first be held between Turkey, the US, and Ukraine. This will be followed by a trilateral meeting between Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine.
ZELENSKYY MET WITH ERDOĞAN, SENT HIS DELEGATION
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara yesterday and held a comprehensive meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes. In his statement at Esenboğa Airport, Zelenskyy noted that the delegation participating in the negotiations includes the Foreign Minister, presidential advisors, and military and intelligence officials. Criticizing the Russian delegation for being at a "deceptive level," Zelenskyy said, "We need to understand what the representatives' authorities are. We will determine the next steps after our meeting with Erdoğan."
Following the meeting, Zelenskyy decided to send the Ukrainian delegation to the negotiations in Istanbul and departed from Turkey.
RUSSIAN DELEGATION ARRIVED YESTERDAY, MET WITH FİDAN
Following Ukraine's positive response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's call for peace, the Russian delegation also arrived in Istanbul yesterday morning to participate in the negotiations. The delegation, led by Russian Presidential Advisor Vladimir Medinsky, held a meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Dolmabahçe Working Office.
In the trilateral meetings to be held today, Hakan Fidan will meet separately with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Russian Presidential Advisor Vladimir Medinsky.
WHY WERE THE NEGOTIATIONS POSTPONED?
The first meeting between the parties, which was expected to take place yesterday, was postponed to today due to the Ukrainian delegation's preparations not being completed and Zelenskyy's desire to hold a one-on-one meeting with Erdoğan. The Russian side stated, "We are expecting the Ukrainian side at 10:00 on May 16."