Istanbul: The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul on Sunday ahead of peace talks with the Ukrainian side scheduled for June 2. Talks between the delegations are expected to be held at Ciragan Palace at 1 pm local time (1000GMT), said sources with the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
According to Anadolu Agency, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated earlier on Sunday that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will be leading his country's delegation in the planned second round of direct negotiations with Russia. The talks are part of ongoing efforts to resolve tensions between the two nations.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned that they had proposed holding the next round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, is set to head the Russian delegation during these discussions.
On May 16, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks in three years in Istanbul, marking a significant step with the two sides agreeing to a large-scale exchange of prisoners involving a total of 1,000 individuals from each side.