Ukrainian President is in the country to negotiate the end of the war; On Wednesday, Kremlin reported that Vladimir Putin would not attend the meeting
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian delegation that arrived in Istanbul in Turkey for meetings for the end of the war on Thursday (15.MAI.2025) is “decorative”The Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, is not present.
Zelensky has not yet arrived in town. He went to Ankara, Turkish capital, for a meeting with Turkey President Tayyip Erdogan. The Ukrainian leader questioned the power that members of the Russian entourage would have to make decisions about the conflict.
“I still don’t officially know the level of Russia’s delegation, but from what I could see, it seems more at a decorative level. We have to understand the level of the Russian delegation, which agenda they have and if they can make any decision”, disse Zelensky.
Asked which message would send to Putin, the Ukrainian President said: “I am here. This is the message”.
Putin, who was the one that the conversations of the end of the war were treated directly between Moscow and Kiev, had already confirmed that to Türkiye.
The content of discussions is not yet clear. Erdogan’s office said the Turkish president will emphasize the need for a ceasefire to be approved to end the conflict as soon as possible.
On the side of Russia, the speech is that the conditions for a peace treaty have changed. If Moscow previously required Ukraine to abdicate the ambitions to join NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the advance of Russian troops in Ukrainian territory may have altered the strategy.
“Yes, there were changes in Russia’s position. Changes reflect changes in the ground”Said the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, Reuters.
Zakharova said he was grateful to China and Brazil for attempts to seek peace in a diplomatic way. About conversations in Istanbul, he questioned Ukraine’s intentions.
“As for the Ukrainian side, how ready are they? What are you willing? I think this will be shown, even today in Istanbul“, These.
NATA GRANTED IN TURQUIA
In addition to meetings between Russia and Ukraine and Zelensky and Erdogan, foreign ministers of NATO member countries will meet in Antalya, southern Turkey, on Thursday (15.MAI). United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be present.
In an informal opening of the event, Turkish representative Hakan Fidan said there is a new window of opportunity for Russia and Ukraine to reach peace. He said he hopes that conversations in Istanbul “Write a new chapter”.
