The negotiator previously announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin established the tasks and defined Moscow’s negotiating position after a meeting with the commanders of the special military operation.

According to Medinsky, the Russian delegation has all the necessary powers and competences to conduct negotiations and is committed to a constructive approach, seeking possible solutions and common ground. “We are ready to resume the Istanbul negotiations, ready for possible compromises and to discuss them. We have a working attitude, and the leadership of all the ministries involved is present,” he specified.

Turkish media reported that a four-party meeting with delegations from Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and Turkey could be held in Istanbul this Friday. They also suggested that Russians and Ukrainians would negotiate only with the Ottoman delegation present.

The Russian delegation arrived in Turkey yesterday morning and is awaiting their Ukrainian counterparts, but so far has only held a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky traveled to Ankara on Thursday to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During a press conference, Zelensky expressed his willingness to negotiate directly with Russia and sent a delegation to Istanbul, but immediately warned that Kyiv will not recognize the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson as Russian. The Ukrainian side rules out discussing territorial issues.

Moscow considers these statements unacceptable, as Russia will not negotiate its territorial integrity, but will prioritize Ukraine’s neutral status, the reduction of Ukrainian military forces, the protection of the Russian-speaking population, and the rights of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, among other points.

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