Why Russia sent a “technical” delegation to Turkey and what it means for Ukraine
15 May 17:55
OPINION
The visit of the Russian delegation to Turkey on May 15, 2025, headed by former Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky, caused surprise not only in Ukrainian political circles but also among Western observers. The expert community believes that such a delegation is a deliberate humiliation of both Ukraine and the United States, and that the event itself has no signs of full-fledged peace talks.
To understand the situation, "Komersant Ukrainian" asked political analysts Volodymyr Fesenko and Oleg Lisnyi to comment on current events.
Volodymyr Fesenko: Ukraine is consulting with Washington
According to political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko, there is no official refusal to negotiate on the part of Kyiv. However, the decision to participate in the consultations depends, in particular, on the position of the United States.
“I think our people are currently consulting with the Americans on whether to respond to Russia’s demarche and send someone to these meetings,” the expert said.
According to Fesenko, Ukraine should respond symmetrically, i.e., “with a deputy for a deputy.” If the Russians sent a technical delegation, then the Ukrainian delegation should not be of a high level. At the same time, the political scientist notes that regardless of whether the meetings take place or not, no real result should be expected.
Even if the meeting does take place, it will not be negotiations, but simply an exchange of positions. Russia will voice its old ultimatum proposals, in particular those that emerged after the so-called Istanbul Round. We will be able to repeat: if you agree to a ceasefire, we will talk. If not, then no,” explained Fesenko.
The political scientist emphasized that in this case, it is not the actual result of the negotiations of the delegations in Istanbul, but the Russian draft agreement on the end of the war, which appeared two weeks after the negotiations themselves.
Here is the date: april 15. There was no such document in Istanbul. There were only Ukrainian proposals, which the Russians partially used but added their own, which was unacceptable to us. It was unacceptable even then, and it is even more so now. But still, they will voice their ultimatums,” said Volodymyr Fesenko.
Oleh Lisnyi: These are not negotiations, but political props
Political analyst Oleh Lis nyi was more categorical, calling the delegation that arrived in Turkey “a slap in the face not only to Ukraine but also to Trump.” In his opinion, this group of people has no official mandate for negotiations and performs a purely technical function – to discuss possible dates and format of potential real negotiations in the future.
This is not a delegation, but a clown show. They cannot sign any documents and do not even have the authority to discuss serious issues. It is a sham designed to create the impression of a process,” noted Lisnyi.
The political scientist expressed the following opinion:
“What may happen, although I admit that it may not happen, cannot be called negotiations in any case. At most, it can be called consultations. Therefore, I did not expect and do not expect anything from what is currently happening in Turkey in the sense of “Ukraine-Russia”.
The expert also emphasized diplomatic etiquette:
President to President, Minister to Minister. And what has arrived has no status. This is a demonstrative disregard that shows that Russia is not interested in peace.
Thus, there is a consensus among experts that the current “Turkish format” will not produce any results or real dialogue. Real diplomacy, if it is to take place, will require the involvement of authorized persons, mandates, and political will, which the Kremlin has not yet demonstrated.
Read also: Negotiations in Turkey: Zelensky reveals the composition of the Ukrainian delegation
Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul: what you need to know
On the night of May 11, Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced his readiness for direct talks with the Ukrainian side, which are to take place in Istanbul on May 15. However, in his statement, he did not mention a single word about a possible 30-day ceasefire, as the Ukrainian side and its partners want.
US President Donald Trump said that Ukraine must urgently agree to the talks in Turkey proposed by Putin for May 15. At the same time, the American president did not pay attention to the absence of a 30-day truce clause in the Kremlin’s proposal.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed and wrote that he would personally wait for Putin in Turkey to meet on May 15. At the same time, he expressed hope that the ceasefire would begin on May 12.
Eventually, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky arrived in Turkey with a delegation. The delegation included Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
The ceasefire was not accepted in Russia.
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