Russian Delegation To Istanbul Talks To Be Led By Former Culture Minister
29- 15.05.2025, 7:56
- 19,700

The composition of the Russian delegation for talks with Ukraine has been approved.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of the Russian delegation for talks with Ukraine, which are to be held today, May 15, in Istanbul.
This is reported by RBC-Ukraine.
According to the published information, the Russian delegation will include:
Medinsky Vladimir Rostislavich - Putin's aide, former Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, a member of Putin's Council on Culture and Art (head of the delegation);
Galuzin Mikhail Yurievich - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia (member of the delegation);
Kostyukov Igor Valeryevich - Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (member of the delegation);
Fomin Alexander Vasilyevich - Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation (member of the delegation).
It should be noted that Medinsky was the head of the delegation in 2022. Fomin was also in that delegation.

In addition, the head of the Kremlin approved the composition of experts for the 2025 negotiations. It included:
Zorin Alexander Sergeevich - first deputy head of the information department of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces;
Podobreevskaya Evgenia Sergeevna - deputy head of the Kremlin chief's department for state policy in the humanitarian sphere;
Polischuk Alexei Anatolievich - director of the second department of CIS countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry;
Shevtsov Viktor - deputy head of the Main Directorate of International Military Cooperation of the Russian Defense Ministry.
Based on the list, it appears that Putin will not participate in the talks.
The talks in Istanbul
Reminder, this past weekend Ukraine, the United States and a "coalition of the resolute" gave Putin an ultimatum - either a complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire from May 12, or the imposition of new sanctions.
On Sunday night, the Kremlin chief issued an address in which he ignored the above, but instead offered to resume direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky agreed to the talks and said he would wait for Putin personally at the meeting. However, Russia did not disclose the composition of the delegation until the last time.
A few hours ago, Zelensky said that Ukraine would decide its next steps regarding the Istanbul talks after Russia disclosed the composition of its delegation.