Ukraine missing from Istanbul talks: Peskov

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukrainian representatives have not yet arrived at the site of the negotiations in Istanbul, but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it is too early to talk about any deadlines.

“Ukrainians are not here yet, and it is not known whether they will show up or not... Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, I’m just stating what is happening right now,” Peskov told reporters when asked whether there was any deadline for waiting for the Ukrainian delegation.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions on May 15 in Istanbul. He suggested that the talks could lead to a ceasefire agreement. According to presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Russia is committed to a serious effort to find a lasting peace. He said the goal of the proposed negotiations is to address the root causes of the conflict and secure Russia's interests.

An informed source told RIA Novosti that the negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations are scheduled for Thursday afternoon, at the same location as in 2022 — the working office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in central Istanbul. The Russian delegation is led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.