UPD: Pope Leo XIV offered himself as a mediator in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. «The Holy See is ready to help the enemies meet and look each other in the eye to restore a decent life to the peoples. If we live with dignity, times will become kind. We are these times», — he said. On May 18, the pontiff will likely meet with Volodymyr Zelensky.
Volodymyr Zelensky held a press conference after talks with Turkish President Recep Erdogan and spoke about Ukraine's plans for negotiations with Russia.
The main goal of the talks in Istanbul is a ceasefire. «As for the agenda [of the talks] — they will have a mandate. Ceasefire — No. 1», — noted Zelensky. If necessary, the Ukrainian delegation will stay in Istanbul on Friday as well.
The Ukrainian delegation at the talks will be headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. According to the President of Ukraine, he himself, the head of the SBU, and the Chief of the General Staff «have nothing to do at the talks without Putin».
«I have nothing to do in Istanbul. Russia stated that Putin is ready for direct negotiations, then everything changed for them. We are ready for direct negotiations <...> We are now in Ankara, we just arrived here. After this, we are sending a group to Istanbul. He is not here, he is not in Istanbul. We can't run around the whole world looking for a person», — added Zelensky.
At the same time, he noted that Russia, with its actions, shows disrespect not only to Ukraine but also to the USA and Turkey. «It seems to me that Turkey and the USA feel Russia's disrespect. We don't see from them any agenda, time, or high-level delegation. I'm not saying that the Russians don't respect us — that's clear, we have a mirrored situation with them. But here they do not respect Erdogan, they do not respect Trump. Trump sends a large group of people to the negotiations. [Secretary of State] Rubio is going. The Foreign Minister of Turkey is here. The Foreign Minister of Ukraine is here. This is disrespect from Russia», — noted the President of Ukraine.
Russia's position before the negotiations was voiced by the head of the Russian delegation, Putin's advisor Vladimir Medinsky. He stated that Russia «is ready to discuss the resumption of the Istanbul negotiations, possible compromises, and their discussions». Medinsky did not say a word about a 30-day truce and ceasefire.
After this brief statement, the Russian delegation left for the Dolmabahce Palace, where a meeting with Ukrainian representatives is to take place.
Photo: Reuters