This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/617518-ukraine-talks-istanbul-zelensky/

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
Russia-Ukraine talks conclude in Istanbul: Live Updates Russia-Ukraine talks conclude in Istanbul: Live Updates
(31 minutes later)
The meeting between the delegations from Moscow and Kiev lasted for less than two hoursThe meeting between the delegations from Moscow and Kiev lasted for less than two hours
The first direct talks between Moscow and Kiev in over three years have concluded at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. The first direct talks between Moscow and Kiev in over three years have reportedly concluded at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.
Representatives from Türkiye, Ukraine, and the US held separate discussions ahead of the negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations on Friday. The peace talks were initially planned to take place on Thursday, however Vladimir Zelensky only named a Ukrainian delegation that evening, having spoken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
As the peace talks were planned to take place on Thursday, the Kremlin delegation had been waiting for its counterpart to arrive for the whole day. Vladimir Zelensky named his delegation later in the evening. It consists of 12 delegates and is led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Kiev’s representatives eventually arrived in Istanbul on Thursday night and talks were rescheduled for Friday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered on Sunday to resume direct dialogue between Moscow and Kiev to find a lasting settlement that would address the root causes of the conflict. The Russian delegation is led by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, who headed Moscow’s negotiating team at the failed 2022 Istanbul talks. The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Kiev’s defense minister, Rustem Umerov.
Zelensky, who had previously ruled out any talks with Moscow, only agreed to attend following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of his support for the talks, and his claim that Kiev should accept it “immediately”. But instead of going to Istanbul, Zelensky went to Ankara, where he had direct talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The talks follow a surprise invitation last Sunday from Russian President Vladimir Putin for unconditional talks on resolving the long-term root causes of the Ukraine conflict.
The Russian President's spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed Putin is not planning to personally take part in the talks with Ukraine in Türkiye. Zelensky, who had previously ruled out any talks with Moscow, only agreed to attend following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of his support for the talks, and his claim that Kiev should accept it “immediately.”
Moscow and Ukraine last held direct talks in April 2022, also in Istanbul. Following initial reports that an agreement had been reached, Kiev unilaterally withdrew from the talks. President Putin later blamed Western interference and, in particular, then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had reportedly urged Kiev to “just continue fighting,” for derailing the peace process. Putin’s spokesman announced on Thursday that the Russian president would not attend the talks, prompting the Ukrainian delegation to complain about the status of the Russian team. 
Kiev unilaterally withdrew from the 2022 Istanbul talks. President Putin later blamed Western interference and, in particular, then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had reportedly urged Kiev to “just continue fighting,” for derailing the peace process.
Russia, which had withdrawn its forces from the outskirts of Kiev as a goodwill gesture, later accused Ukraine of backtracking, saying it had lost trust in Ukraine’s negotiators.Russia, which had withdrawn its forces from the outskirts of Kiev as a goodwill gesture, later accused Ukraine of backtracking, saying it had lost trust in Ukraine’s negotiators.