The Kremlin remains silent regarding the composition of the Russian delegation scheduled to participate in the negotiations in Istanbul on May 15
Although official sources do not provide specific details, information leaks appear in Russian media, indicating that there is a complex and not fully finalized political consensus on this important diplomatic step. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Russian delegation intends to arrive in Istanbul on the day of negotiations; however, the Kremlin is not currently naming who exactly will go to Turkey. According to the Kremlin spokesperson, official information about the delegation's composition will only be announced after receiving appropriate instructions from Vladimir Putin. "No such instructions have been given at this time," Peskov stated in a comment to the Russian agency Interfax. At the same time, he emphasized that the Russian side will wait for the Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on Thursday, May 15, and will be ready to discuss. This information emerges against the backdrop of a relatively clear situation regarding preparations for diplomatic talks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously confirmed his desire to act as a mediator in negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. He assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Turkey is ready to organize a meeting at any time but added that the final decision on the format and location of the talks would depend on Russia. Zelensky has announced that his planned meeting with Erdoğan will take place on May 15 in Ankara; however, he stated that if Putin agrees to participate in negotiations in Istanbul, then the meeting could be held there, and the Russian leader will also be awaited in Turkey. The significance of this diplomatic initiative is underscored by the participation of American special envoys. Steve Vatkov and Keith Kellogg, appointed to promote the negotiation process, intend to go to Istanbul on May 15 as part of diplomatic inquiries. It is currently possible that this day will see a direct meeting between Ukrainian and Russian representatives. Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, highlighted that Putin’s refusal to come to Turkey would serve as a symbolic signal of Moscow’s inability to find a better solution and would lead to further escalation of the conflict. The Kremlin, in turn, continues to insist on preparations for talks in Istanbul, without commenting on details or informing the public about the possible composition of delegations. According to Russian officials, the process is not yet complete and requires additional consultations. There are also no specific comments regarding the diplomatic format or potential agreements that could be reached during this meeting. Currently, the situation around the negotiations remains tense and dynamic. While awaiting official statements and confirmations, the international community is closely monitoring developments, hopeful that diplomacy will again open opportunities to halt the conflict and seek compromises during this difficult time for Ukraine and the entire region.