**Ukrainian, Russian, and Turkish Officials to Hold Trilateral Talks in Istanbul**
A crucial meeting is set to take place on May 16 in Istanbul between officials from Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. The trilateral talks aim to revive peace efforts amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to Turkish state news agency Anadolu, the discussions will be held at the Presidential Dolmabahce Office.
**Background of the Talks**
The meeting comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to hold talks with Russia following a proposal by Moscow. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to attend personally and instead appointed his aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to lead the Russian delegation. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the negotiations.
**Composition of the Delegations**
The Ukrainian delegation is led by top officials, including Zelensky, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and representatives from the Presidential Office, military, and intelligence agencies. In contrast, the Russian delegation includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Military Intelligence Director Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin. Notably absent are top Russian politicians, such as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov or Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov.
**US Involvement**
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also scheduled to attend the talks, meeting with Ukrainian officials and other members of the US team holding discussions with Russian delegates. There has been speculation about a possible appearance by former US President Donald Trump, but this seems unlikely for now.
**Doubts About the Meeting’s Success**
Despite the efforts, officials and observers have expressed skepticism about the prospects of a breakthrough at these talks. Rubio described the level of the Russian delegation as “not indicative” of a major success, while Zelensky has called it a “sham delegation.” These doubts reflect the complexities and challenges involved in resolving this conflict.
**Importance of Independent Journalism**
The article also highlights the importance of independent journalism in providing reliable information about these events. The Kyiv Independent relies on reader support to maintain its independence and continues to report on the conflict without paywalls or compromise.
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