Talks between Ukraine, the United States and Turkey begin in Istanbul: first details
16 May 2025 11:20
Trilateral talks between the delegations of Ukraine, the United States, and Turkey have begun in Istanbul. After that, a meeting in the Turkey-Russia-Ukraine format is planned. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Ukraine is represented at the meeting with the United States and Turkey by the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga. Turkey is represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The United States is represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Earlier , Rubio said he would not participate in the talks between Ukraine and Russia because of the low level of the Russian delegation.
At 12:30, a trilateral meeting between representatives of Ukraine, Russia and Turkey will take place.
Both meetings will take place at the residence of the Turkish President, the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. The roads near the building are currently blocked.
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What to expect in Istanbul
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, President of Ukraine 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.
The Kremlin has officially confirmed that it is preparing for the talks, but has not said who will attend them.
Russia has not accepted the ceasefire.
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