Zelensky approves Ukrainian delegation for Istanbul talks

The decree to that effect, No. 539/2025, has been published on the official website of the Ukrainian president, Ukrinform reports.

According to the decree, Umerov will head the delegation. Other members include Oleksandr Bevz, an advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine; Oleksandr Diakov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Navy Command; Sergiy Kyslytsya, First Deputy Foreign Minister; Yuriy Kovbasa, a representative of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights within the security and defense sector; Oleh Luhovskyi, First Deputy Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service; Yevhenii Ostrianskyi, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces; Oleksandr Poklad, Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU); Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate; and others.

The decree also outlines the delegation's authority. Specifically, it authorizes the head of the delegation to "approve the directives of the Ukrainian delegation for negotiations with Ukraine's international partners and with representatives of the Russian Federation aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace (attached, classified)."

The first round of negotiations took place in Istanbul on May 16, where the Russian delegation was led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, highlighting the relatively low level of Russian representation. Ukraine was represented by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. That round resulted in an agreement on a prisoner exchange in a "1,000-for-1,000" format.

A second round was held on June 2, during which the parties agreed to exchange prisoners of war from two specific categories: the wounded and severely wounded, as well as young soldiers under the age of 25, following an "all-for-all" format. Agreements were also reached on the repatriation of the bodies of fallen soldiers.

The next round of talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations is scheduled for the evening of July 23 at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, the same venue that hosted the previous meeting. The meeting is expected to begin at around 19:00.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine