TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Russian President Vladimir Putin has composed a delegation that will engage in direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday, May 15, 2025, through an order signed on Wednesday.
Putin and United States President Donald Trump will not attend what could be the first direct peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in three years, held in Istanbul, Turkey, today.
The order, posted on the Kremlin's website, states that the delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Director of the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence of Russia Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
Furthermore, the statement also approves the composition of experts for the negotiations. “This order shall enter into force on the date of its signing,” the statement said, as reported by Anadolu.
As reported by CNA, Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday "without any preconditions." On Wednesday night, the Kremlin announced that the delegation would include presidential advisor Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
Following the announcement of the Kremlin delegation, a U.S. official said Trump would not attend, just days after stating that he was considering attending the meeting.
Although Putin never confirmed that he would attend in person, the absence of the Russian and U.S. presidents lowers hopes for a major breakthrough in the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has challenged Putin to attend the negotiations "if he's not afraid." This contest seems to show Trump's desire for peace.
Zelensky is on his way to Turkey, said a Ukrainian official. Earlier, the Kyiv leader said he would take part in the negotiations only if Putin were there.
Trump wants both sides to sign a 30-day ceasefire to halt the largest ground war in Europe since World War II. A Russian parliament member said on Wednesday that there may also be discussions about a large-scale prisoner exchange.
Zelensky supports an immediate 30-day ceasefire, but Putin wants to start negotiations first to discuss the details.
Trump, increasingly frustrated with Russia and Ukraine as he tries to push them towards a peaceful resolution, said he is "always considering" secondary sanctions against Moscow if he feels Russia is obstructing the process.
U.S. officials have discussed imposing financial sanctions, as well as secondary sanctions, on Russian oil buyers.
A Ukrainian diplomatic source said on Wednesday that the Ukrainian leadership will decide the next step for peace negotiations in Turkey after there is clarity about Putin's participation.
The U.S. delegation to Turkey includes Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, senior envoy Steve Witkoff, and Keith Kellogg.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Thursday morning that he had met with Rubio to share Zelensky's vision for peace and "coordinate positions during this critical week."
Medinsky and Fomin, part of the Russian delegation, participated in the last negotiations between the two sides in the first weeks of the war.
The last direct talks between negotiators from Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul in March 2022, a month after Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in what he called a "special military operation" to combat neo-Nazis.
Ukraine and its allies say the invasion was an unjustified land grab in imperial style.
Editor's Choice: Ukraine's Zelensky Heads to Ankara, Urges Putin to Join Ceasefire Talks
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Arrested After Protesting Gaza Strikes
2 jam lalu
Ben Cohen, one of the founders of the Ben & Jerry's ice cream brand, was arrested on Wednesday for protesting the Gaza attack at the U.S. Senate
Pakistan Returns Captured Indian Border Guard as Ceasefire Holds
18 jam lalu
Pakistan returns an Indian border guard who was captured a day after the attack on Kashmir.
Analysts: U.S. Trade Pressure Likely Behind Indonesia's Plan to Slash Singapore Fuel Imports
19 jam lalu
Earlier, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced the plan to stop oil imports from Singapore.
Ukraine's Zelensky Heads to Ankara, Urges Putin to Join Ceasefire Talks
20 jam lalu
Putin has yet to confirm his attendance at the talks, which the U.S., under President Trump, is pushing to help end the three-year war.
U.S. Signs US$142bn Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia; Largest in History
22 jam lalu
The United States and Saudi Arabia have formally signed a US$142 billion arms deal, equivalent to approximately Rp2,350 billion.
U.S.-China Trade Deal; Economist Warns Indonesia of Trade Diversion
1 hari lalu
An economist assessed that there would be potential trade diversion following the normalization of trade relations between the U.S. and China.
From Trump to Putin, Prabowo-Jokowi Kissing Meme Is Not First of Its Kind
1 hari lalu
The making of memes featuring political figures kissing is a worldwide occurrence as a form of protest and satirical commentary.
US-China Trade Tensions Ease as Both Sides Agree to Cut Tariffs
2 hari lalu
China and the U.S. agreed to reduce tariffs on imported goods from both countries
Hamas Frees Edan Alexander, Demands End to Israeli Blockade
2 hari lalu
Hamas finally releases the hostage Edan Alexander, who holds dual U.S. and Israeli citizenship
Netanyahu Hints at Cutting U.S. Military Aid as Trump Ties Fray
2 hari lalu
Netanyahu said Israel gets about US$4 billion a year in U.S. military aid and may cut dependence as it did with economic aid.
