Russian delegate in Istanbul says Moscow seeks to resume 2022 negotiations

This was stated by the head of the Russian delegation in Istanbul, Vladimir Medynsky, Ukrinform reports citing the Russian service of the BBC.

“The task of direct negotiations is to establish a long-term peace by eliminating the root causes of the conflict,” Medynsky emphasized.

He added that “Moscow is determined to find possible solutions and points of contact.”

He also said that Russia is ready to discuss “possible compromises” with Ukraine at the talks in Istanbul, The Moscow Times quoted him as saying.

According to Medynsky, the delegation's task was set the day before by Russian leader Vladimir Putin during a meeting where they discussed both the situation on the battlefield and the state of the economy.

As reported by Ukrinform, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin proposed to hold direct talks with Ukraine “where they were interrupted” in 2022 - in Istanbul. However, he did not go to Turkey himself, but sent a delegation to Istanbul headed by his aide Vladimir Medynsky. The delegation also included Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who arrived in Istanbul on May 15 for peace talks with Putin, said that the absence of a Russian negotiating team of the appropriate level in Turkey is disrespectful not only to Ukraine but also to Turkey and the United States.