Trilateral Talks in Istanbul with Participation of Foreign Minister Fidan
The Russian delegation, headed by Vladimir Putin’s advisor Vladimir Medinsky, participated in the negotiations with high-ranking officials such as Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Igor Kostyukov, Head of the Main Directorate of the Russian General Staff.
On the Ukrainian side, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) Oleksandr Poklad, and Deputy Head of Foreign Intelligence Oleh Luhovsky were present.
Prior to the meeting, Ukrainian representatives met with diplomats from Germany, Italy, and the UK in Istanbul to coordinate their positions. According to a statement by Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhyi, these discussions were held for strategic alignment ahead of the trilateral talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the “Bucharest Nine” summit in Vilnius, emphasized Ukraine’s priorities. He stated that if no progress is made in the Istanbul negotiations, the international community should increase sanctions pressure on Russia.
Turkey has once again succeeded in bringing Russia and Ukraine back to the negotiating table after three years. Previously, in May 2025, the two countries reached an agreement in Istanbul on the exchange of 1,000 prisoners and discussions on a potential ceasefire.
These talks are taking place as Ukraine emphasizes diplomacy on one hand, while Zelenskyy warns that further sanctions will be imposed on Moscow if no progress is made.
