Sybiha on Russian delegation in Istanbul: unserious and disrespectful
Russia’s choice of representatives for talks in Türkiye
reflects a lack of seriousness about peace and shows disrespect toward its
negotiating partners, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told reporters
in Türkiye on May 15, according to My-Ukraina.
“This Russian delegation demonstrates an unserious approach
to peace. It’s a show of disrespect to their partners in the context of the
peace process,”
He added that during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of
State Marco Rubio, the two discussed “everything that serves the cause of
peace.”
Sybiha had earlier arrived in Ankara to take part in
meetings involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
On May 10, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin proposed resuming
direct negotiations with Ukraine “without preconditions” on May 15 in Istanbul.
In that address, however, he made no mention of the “coalition of the willing”
initiative proposing a 30-day ceasefire.
In his evening address on May 11, Zelenskyy said he would
personally wait for Putin in Türkiye on May 15. He later confirmed that he
would arrive in Ankara on that date for a meeting with Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdoğan. The two said they were prepared to travel to Istanbul if the
Russian dictator showed up. Zelenskyy emphasized that he was ready to negotiate
only with Putin and that no alternative meeting format was under discussion.
According to Radio NV, Zelenskyy will be accompanied in
Türkiye on May 15 by Presidential Office head Andrii Yermak, Defense Minister
Rustem Umerov, diplomatic adviser Ihor Zhovkva, and Foreign Minister Andrii
Sybiha, who had already arrived in Antalya for an informal meeting of NATO
foreign ministers.
Late on May 14, Russia announced it would send Putin’s aide
Vladimir Medinsky — who also led the 2022 talks — as head of its delegation. He
will be joined by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense
Minister Alexander Fomin, and Chief of the General Staff’s Main Directorate
Igor Kostyukov. Putin himself is not listed as part of the delegation.
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