**Ukraine’s President Zelensky Sends Delegation to Istanbul Talks, Skipping Personal Attendance**
In a significant move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he will not personally participate in the upcoming peace negotiations with Russia in Istanbul. Instead, he is sending a delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Speaking in Ankara, Zelensky clarified that Ukraine’s team would not include the head of the General Staff or the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as previously suggested. The President emphasized that achieving a ceasefire remains a top priority for Ukraine.
“Out of respect for President Trump, the high level of the Turkish delegation, and President Erdogan, and since we want to try to achieve at least the first steps toward de-escalation, an end to the war – namely a ceasefire – I have decided to send our delegation to Istanbul,” Zelensky said.
While Zelensky will not be attending the talks personally, Ukraine remains committed to participating in all agreed formats and maintains an open-door policy for dialogue. The President expressed his hopes that the meeting would not be just for show and that real progress could be made.
**Russia’s Participation Remains Uncertain**
The Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, has been deemed “sham” by Zelensky, who questioned their ability to make decisions on their own. This comes after Moscow announced its intention to achieve “sustainable peace” through addressing the root causes of the conflict, rather than focusing solely on a ceasefire.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has described Putin’s decision not to attend as a “slap in the face.” The absence of top-ranking Russian officials, including President Putin himself, from the delegation has raised concerns about Russia’s commitment to meaningful negotiations.
**International Support**
The international community is closely watching the situation, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressing optimism that progress could be made in the coming days and weeks. U.S. President Donald Trump has also expressed his willingness to attend the talks if there is significant progress toward a deal.
As tensions between Ukraine and Russia remain high, the success of these peace negotiations will depend on the ability of both sides to come together in good faith. The absence of top leaders from either side raises concerns about the potential for meaningful progress, but international support and pressure may yet prove to be a catalyst for change.
**Kyiv Independent**
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
