**Russia and Ukraine Set to Meet in Istanbul for Peace Talks**
In a significant development, Russia has confirmed that a delegation will attend peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul later this week. The announcement was made by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on May 13, following an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin had earlier rejected calls for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire backed by Europe, Ukraine, and the United States. However, he invited Ukraine to engage in direct talks in Istanbul, which was accepted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky stated that he was ready to meet Putin in Turkey on May 15.
While Putin’s attendance at the peace talks has not been confirmed, Peskov assured that the Kremlin will send a delegation to the negotiations. The Russian delegation is expected to be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, according to a former Russian official quoted in the Washington Post.
The United States will also have representation at the peace talks in Istanbul. US President Donald Trump confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend, along with envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg. Trump suggested that he might join the peace talks himself, but his attendance would depend on Putin’s presence.
If the meeting between Putin and Zelensky takes place, it would be their first face-to-face encounter since 2019. The two leaders have had no direct meetings since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
**What This Means**
The announcement of peace talks in Istanbul is a significant development in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The fact that both sides are willing to engage in direct talks suggests a willingness to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
However, the absence of concrete details on the Russian delegation and the lack of confirmation from Putin about his attendance raise questions about the sincerity of Moscow’s commitment to the peace process.
The presence of US representatives at the talks adds an international dimension to the negotiations. However, the involvement of Trump’s envoys also raises concerns about the role of external actors in shaping the outcome of the talks.
**What’s Next**
The fate of the peace talks hangs in the balance as both sides await confirmation on key details such as Putin’s attendance and the composition of the Russian delegation. If the meeting takes place, it will be a crucial test of the commitment of both Russia and Ukraine to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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