Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) meets with Russian Presidential Advisor Vladimir Medinsky at the Presidential Dolmabahce Office in Istanbul, Türkiye, on May 15, 2025. (AA Photo)
May 15, 2025 11:05 PM GMT+03:00
A meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the Russian delegation at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace ended late Thursday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
Ministry sources said a series of meetings in various formats are expected Friday as peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine continue in Istanbul.
Trilateral talks are planned between the U.S., Ukraine and Türkiye, as well as between Russia, Ukraine and Türkiye, the sources added. It remains unclear whether a four-way meeting involving the U.S., Russia, Ukraine and Türkiye will take place.
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The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, a presidential aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the General Staff’s Main Directorate Igor Kostyukov, Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin, and other experts, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Turkish capital to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Türkiye on May 15, 2025. (AA Photo)
Earlier Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is sending a delegation to Istanbul for direct negotiations with Russia. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation.
“Despite the rather low level of the Russian delegation, out of respect for President Trump, for the high-level Turkish delegation and President Erdogan, and wishing to attempt at least the first steps toward de-escalation and an end to the war, I decided to send our delegation to Istanbul — though not in full,” Zelenskyy said in Istanbul.
Zelenskyy left Türkiye after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. His delegation will remain in Istanbul until Friday.
Russia’s delegation head and advisor to Putin, Vladimir Medinsky, flanked by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin (L) and head of Russia military intelligence (GRU) Igor Kostyukov (R), speaks to press ahead of a planned meeting between Ukrainian, American and Russian delegates in Istanbul, Türkiye on May 15, 2025. (AFP Photo)
At a press conference in Istanbul, Medinsky said his team has full authority to discuss all necessary matters to resolve the conflict.
The delegation was approved by presidential decree and prepared following a meeting with Putin, he said.
“The goal of direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side is to achieve long-term peace,” Medinsky said, urging a constructive approach to find common ground.
May 15, 2025 11:05 PM GMT+03:00
