Negotiating teams representing Russia and Ukraine have begun meeting in Turkey, with the chief negotiators holding a one-on-one meeting on Wednesday at the Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, according to the Russian delegation.
Russia was represented at that meeting by Vladimir Medinski, a senior aide to President Vladimir Putin, while former Defence Minister Roestem Oemjerov represented Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was also present at the initial meeting of the delegation leaders.
This marks the third time since 2022 that the warring parties have met at the negotiating table, although expectations for a breakthrough remain low. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tempered hopes earlier this week, while Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged beforehand that the talks would be “naturally very difficult.”
The main topic of discussion, Peskov said, would be the continuation of prisoner exchanges. Other issues could be addressed if needed, he said.
A source within the Ukrainian negotiation team expressed hope for a “constructive stance” from Russia.
The source highlighted the delegation's interest in discussing prisoner swaps, the repatriation of Ukrainian children taken to Russia, and a potential meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy.
