North India Statesman
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Ankara: Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelansky has said that he will not attend the upcoming peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, although a delegation will send a delegation led by Kiev Defense Minister Rustom Umrov as part of a fresh attempt to reduce the conflict.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ukrainian Embassy in Ankara after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan on Thursday, Zelansky said Ukraine was committed to dialogue, but expressed doubts over Moscow’s intentions. “Unfortunately, we do not see any of those who will represent the other side,” Zelansky told reporters.
According to the report by the news agency Xinhua, despite its objections, Zelansky said that Ukraine would work creatively and send his representatives to the talks in an attempt to prevent further situation from growing. He said, “I have decided to send my delegation to Istanbul.”
“Not all people will be involved – the security service chief Vil Vaiyuk and General Staff head will not be involved – but the delegation will be headed by Defense Minister Rustom Umrov. He will be accompanied by professional people including military and intelligence officials.”
Zelansky said that the talk time is still being fixed, but it is expected that it will be on Thursday or Friday. He said, “The delegation has been sent. Turkish delegation is ready.” “This can still happen today, it can also happen tomorrow.”
The talks in Istanbul will be the first direct dialogue between Kiev and Moscow since the spread of Ukraine conflict in 2022. Speaking separately at the meeting of NATO’s Foreign Ministers in Antalya, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hoped that the Istanbul meeting could prove to be a significant turn.
Fidan said, “I hope that the talks in Istanbul will open a new chapter for us.” “After three years of pain, now we are watching a window of opportunity.” Fidan said that both Russia and Ukraine have theoretically expressed a desire to consider a ceasefire, but with different conditions. He insisted that concrete dialogue would require an agreement on both sides. He said, “Intensive diplomatic activity is going on in Ankara, Antalya and Istanbul.” “If peace is the goal, then both sides should be ready to give concessions.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attended the NATO meeting, said Washington supports the solution through dialogue. He said, “We will see what happens in Istanbul peace talks, but we want to see progress.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that Paris is pressurizing for “immediate” and “unconditional” ceasefire. The Istanbul talks took place after the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to resume direct talks with Ukraine on Sunday.
Zelansky earlier said that he is ready for a face-to-face meeting with Putin. However, Kremlin said that Putin would not attend Thursday’s talks. Instead, Russia will be represented by Vladimir Medinski, the President’s colleague.
