Ukraine-Russia Negotiations in Istanbul: Expectations and Key Details
tensions are rising as the highly anticipated negotiations between Ukraine and Russia draw closer. According to Turkish officials, the talks are scheduled to take place on July 23 in Istanbul, with preparations already underway. The Directorate of Communications of the Turkish presidential administration reported that the negotiations are set for the evening, expected to begin around 7:00 PM in the Beşiktaş district at the Çırağan Palace. Officials also noted that the schedule might be subject to change depending on how the situation develops. Ukraine will be represented by a delegation led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. The delegation includes senior officials from the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, and the Foreign Intelligence Service. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already approved the composition of the delegation, which is tasked with handling complex and crucial negotiations for the country. According to previous statements, Ukraine has three primary priorities for the upcoming round of talks: the returns of prisoners of war, the return of children forcibly taken by Russia, and preparations for a summit involving the leaders of both nations. Notably, the first round of negotiations took place earlier on May 16 at the Dolmabahçe Palace, where the parties agreed on a prisoner exchange, exchanging up to 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers on each side and reaching a consensus on the exchange of prisoners under the age of 25. Overall, this Istanbul meeting holds significant strategic and humanitarian potential. It could serve as a vital step towards peace and mutual understanding, potentially paving the way for crucial diplomatic breakthroughs amid ongoing conflicts.