Ukraine sends delegation for Istanbul talks, Zelenskyy declines to attend

Ukraine Sends Delegation to Istanbul Talks, While Zelenskyy Opts Out

Kyiv confirms participation in de-escalation talks, but highlights imbalance in delegation levels

Ukraine has confirmed it will participate in a new round of negotiations with Russia set to take place in Istanbul, although President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself will not be in attendance. The talks, positioned as a lower-level diplomatic engagement, aim to explore preliminary steps toward a potential ceasefire.

Zelenskyy cites respect for allies, signals intent for peace

Following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Zelenskyy announced his decision to send a Ukrainian delegation, emphasizing that it was made out of respect for both Erdoğan and U.S. leadership. He framed the move as a demonstration of Ukraine’s consistent commitment to ending Russia’s war through diplomatic channels.

“Out of respect for President Erdoğan, the U.S. leadership, and because we want to pursue at least the first steps toward de-escalation and a ceasefire, I have decided to send our delegation to Istanbul,” Zelenskyy stated.

Defence Minister Umerov to lead Ukraine’s team

Ukraine’s delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. Zelenskyy highlighted that the Ukrainian team will include senior representatives from the foreign ministry, the presidential office, the military, and intelligence services—signaling Ukraine’s preparedness to make substantive decisions, should the talks offer a real opportunity for progress.

Zelenskyy questions seriousness of Russian delegation

However, the Ukrainian president expressed skepticism regarding the composition and authority of Russia’s delegation. He described the Russian approach as “theatrical,” criticizing the absence of high-ranking decision-makers from Moscow.

“We must assess what level the Russian delegation represents and whether they are authorized to make any decisions independently,” Zelenskyy said, indirectly referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to engage directly.

Putin absent, Medinsky to lead Russian side again

The Kremlin has confirmed that Putin will not travel to Turkey. Instead, the Russian delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who also headed Moscow’s negotiating team during the 2022 Istanbul talks—the first formal attempt to mediate the conflict.

Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak recently reiterated that President Zelenskyy has no intention of engaging with lower-ranking Russian officials in the absence of Putin, suggesting that such meetings lack substantive value.

This diplomatic episode underscores the ongoing complexities of initiating meaningful dialogue amid wartime conditions. While Ukraine appears willing to engage, the disparity in delegation levels and Moscow's reluctance to send high-ranking representatives cast doubt on the potential effectiveness of the upcoming Istanbul talks.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for in-depth coverage of Ukraine–Russia negotiations and global diplomatic developments.