The world's eyes are on Istanbul... The critical Ukraine-Russia meeting at Çırağan Palace has concluded

As the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2022, enters its third year, the parties have once again sat down at the negotiating table under Turkey's mediation.

The meeting was held at the Çırağan Palace in Beşiktaş. It was reported that in addition to diplomatic representatives from both countries, military and political advisors also attended the meeting, which was held under tight security measures. Officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also accompanied the negotiations as observers.

TENSIONS ROSE AGAIN BEFORE THE MEETING

Hours before the talks, it was reported that the Russian army had increased its attacks in Eastern Ukraine and that Ukraine had responded. This activity on the ground indicated that the negotiations would be difficult. However, the parties' willingness to keep the diplomatic channel open ensured that the meeting took place as planned.

WHAT WAS ON THE TABLE?

It was learned that issues such as the protection of civilians, the reopening of humanitarian corridors, prisoner exchanges, and a ceasefire were on the agenda at the meeting in Istanbul.

14.45 THE MEETING BEGAN

The talks between the Turkish, Russian, and Ukrainian delegations began at 14.45 at Çırağan Palace.

National Intelligence Organization (MİT) President İbrahim Kalın and Chief of General Staff General Metin Gürak are also attending the Turkey-Russia-Ukraine Trilateral Meeting, which is being chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan.

14.40 OPENING REMARKS BY HAKAN FİDAN

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan delivered the opening speech before the meeting. Fidan stated, "We hope to advance the prisoner exchange at today's meeting. The essential goal is to ensure sustainable peace. We will discuss preparations for a leaders' summit."

13.23 RUSSIAN DELEGATION ARRIVED

The Russian delegation arrived at Çırağan Palace to participate in the peace negotiations.

12.58 UKRAINIAN DELEGATION AT ÇIRAĞAN

The Ukrainian delegation arrived at Çırağan Palace to participate in the peace negotiations.

12.50 UKRAINIAN DELEGATION MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF 3 COUNTRIES

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya and Advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksandr Bevz met with representatives from Germany, Italy, and the UK in Istanbul, where they were present for the Turkey-Russia-Ukraine Trilateral Meeting.

According to a post on the X platform by Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson George Tykhyi, Kyslytsya and Bevz clarified and aligned their positions in this meeting ahead of the Turkey-Russia-Ukraine talks.

During the meeting, the Ukrainian delegation emphasized the country's commitment to the peace process, while a summit at the leaders' level, a full-scale ceasefire, and steps to increase humanitarian security were discussed in detail.

10.30 MİT PRESIDENT KALIN MAY ALSO ATTEND

According to other information obtained from foreign ministry sources, MİT President İbrahim Kalın is also expected to attend the critical meeting.

10.25 NAMES IN THE DELEGATION HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

As diplomatic traffic accelerates in Istanbul, new details have emerged regarding the Ukraine-Russia talks to be hosted by Turkey. According to information obtained from foreign ministry sources, representatives of the three countries will meet at Çırağan Palace today at 13.00. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan will chair the talks on behalf of Turkey. Minister Fidan is expected to make a speech at the opening.

Russian Delegation

The Russian side is attending the talks with a high-level team. The delegation is led by Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky. Medinsky is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Igor Kostyukov, head of the military intelligence service GRU.

Ukrainian Delegation

The Ukrainian side has also formed a comprehensive team for the talks. The delegation is led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, accompanied by First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Oleksandr Poklad, and First Deputy Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Oleh Luhovskyi, who have arrived in Istanbul.

09.53 RUSSIA: WE NEUTRALIZED 162 UKRAINIAN UAVS

In a statement made by the Russian Ministry of Defense, it was reported that 162 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) belonging to Ukraine were destroyed by air defense systems throughout the night.

The ministry's statement reported that Ukraine carried out UAV attacks on Russian territory during the night hours.

According to the statement, during the attacks carried out between 20.00 and 02.00 local time yesterday, 57 UAVs were neutralized in Kursk, 31 in Belgorod, 27 in Lipetsk, 16 in Voronezh, 11 each in Bryansk and Ryazan, 6 in Oryol, 1 in Tambov, and 2 in annexed Crimea.

On the other hand, information was shared that Ukraine also targeted Russian military airbases located in the Murmansk, Ryazan, Irkutsk, and Ivanovo regions.

In a new announcement made in the morning, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated, "Our air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 162 Ukrainian UAVs between 17.10 and 23.00 on Sunday."

The statement emphasized that the majority of the downed UAVs were neutralized in border regions. It was stated that 57 UAVs were hit in the Kursk region and 31 in the Belgorod region.

09.17 UKRAINIAN DELEGATION IN ISTANBUL

The Ukrainian delegation, which came to Turkey for the negotiations, has reached Istanbul. The delegation, led by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, is scheduled to meet with the Russian side at Çırağan Palace at 13.00.

08.30 THE WHOLE WORLD'S EYES ARE ON ISTANBUL

THE TIMES: US IS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH RUSSIA'S STANCE

According to The Times, Keith Kellogg, the special envoy of former US President Trump, criticized Moscow for not sharing any draft document in advance and made harsh statements over the weekend. Kellogg said, "We can't get the Russians' terms. We still haven't gotten them. They promised Trump, Putin promised he would get them in a week. They didn't come after a week."

The newspaper emphasized that the tension between the parties is rising and that this situation could seriously affect the course of the negotiations in Istanbul. The report stated that British diplomatic circles, in particular, assess that prisoner exchanges and the memorandum crisis will be the main topics of the talks.

'RUSSIA AND UKRAINE DELEGATIONS IN ISTANBUL FOR TALKS'

According to a report by France24, following Ukraine's attacks on airbases in Russia, delegations from the two countries will meet in Istanbul in search of a solution.

Emphasizing that there is no clear consensus between the parties yet, the report noted that peace plans and prisoner exchanges were on the agenda in the first round of talks held last month.

France24 stated, "The second round of talks will begin at 13.00 at the historic Çırağan Palace on the Bosphorus," and also conveyed the statement by the German government spokesperson that diplomatic advisors from Germany, France, and the UK would be in close contact with the Ukrainian delegation.

A Historic Day at Çırağan! Russia and Ukraine's Second 'Peace Table' is Back in Istanbul - Image : 7

06.00 UKRAINE: WE TARGETED 34% OF RUSSIA'S BOMBER AIRCRAFT

In a post on the Telegram account of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), information was provided regarding the UAV attacks on various Russian military airbases.

The statement said, "34 percent of the strategic cruise missile carriers at the main airfields of the Russian Federation were hit."

It was claimed that as a result of the special operation codenamed "Pavutini" (Spider Web), a total of approximately 7 billion dollars in damage was inflicted on Russia's strategic aviation. While it was stated that more information about the operation would be shared in the future, it was emphasized that Ukraine would fight with determination to defend its occupied territories.

News Source: 12punto