Russia’s chief negotiator said Russia believes new negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey, is a “continuation” of Russia’s chief negotiator.
Vladimir Medinsky, the Russian presidential aide who led the country’s delegation, said the main purpose of the delegation was to ensure lasting peace and eliminate the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict.
Medesky pointed out that the delegation approved by the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin has the necessary capacity to conduct negotiations.
The Russian team is focused on “finding possible solutions” and common ground through constructive approaches, diplomats said.
Putin proposed in a statement on Sunday that direct negotiations with Ukraine will be held in Istanbul on Thursday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously said he is willing to meet face-to-face with Putin.
Putin is not in the headline of the negotiation delegation, according to a Kremlin statement on Wednesday.
Zelensky said on Thursday that he would not attend peace talks in Istanbul, although Kiev will send a delegation there.
The last direct negotiation between Ukraine and Russia was held in Istanbul in March 2022, with both sides failing to agree to stop the fight.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 15 that Moscow’s goal in peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul was to achieve “sustainable peace” by resolving “the root cause of the conflict” rather than a ceasefire.
The comments are due to the hope of meeting in Istanbul, which will be the first direct negotiation between the two parties since 2022.
Ukraine calls for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as the first step towards peace talks, a position supported by the United States and European countries but rejected by Russia.
Instead, Moscow called for the resumption of negotiations but rejected President Zelensky’s appeal to a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Putin.
Ukrainian officials reportedly plan to discuss only ways to implement and monitor the ceasefire, which makes it unlikely to reach a deal given Lavrov’s comments.
Nevertheless, Lavrov said the negotiations should have a “opportunity” and added: “No one can guarantee that everything will go smoothly, no problem”.
Top Russian diplomats say Kiev’s Western partners should urge Ukraine to abolish its national minority laws and say “no cost to Americans and Europeans”.
Moscow repeatedly portrays Ukrainian legislation as opposed to Russia and supports Ukrainian national identity, one of the main reasons for its full invasion.
Zelensky told reporters on arrival at Ankara Airport that the Ukrainian delegation was the “highest level” including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, a military representative and representative of the president’s office, and head of “all intelligence agencies.”
The Russian delegation was led by Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and further consisted of Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Military Intelligence Director Igor Kostyukov and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
Medinsky held its first negotiations with Ukraine in 2022.
Despite Putin’s absence, it is unclear whether talks will take place.
“We need to understand what the level of the Russian delegation is, what their mission is and whether they are capable of making their own decisions,” Zelensky said after arriving in Ankara.
He added: “Because we all know who made the decision in Russia.” Moscow seemed to have sent a “fake” delegation.
