Zelensky names Ukrainian negotiating team in Istanbul

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed the team of 12 for the planned negotiations with the wartime adversary Russia in Turkey.

The lead negotiator is Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. According to the decree, no other ministers have been assigned to the talks in Istanbul.

All other negotiators are reportedly deputy heads of intelligence services, senior staff officers and an adviser to the head of the presidential office.

Zelensky had previously criticized the low rank of the Russian negotiators multiple times and demanded direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin ignored the demand and, according to observers, sent political lightweights to Istanbul.

The aim of the talks is to achieve a “just and lasting peace,” it was stated in Kiev. The specific directives are classified.

The Crimean Tatar Umerov had already participated in negotiations with Russia shortly after the now three-year long war began, but not as a minister, rather as a simple lawmaker.

After the talks did not materialize on Thursday as expected, a new attempt is to be made this Friday, according to Turkish sources.