In order to lift the first impasse in Ukraine-Russia talks in Turkey, as Ukrainian President, Volodimir Zelenski, announced that a Ukrainian delegation is going to Constantinople to meet with Russian representatives.

Zelenski added, however, that “we see that the Russians are not serious about peace talks”, repeating previous accusations on Moscow’s intentions.

In particular, Zelenski announced that Ukraine will send a delegation to Constantinople led by Defense Minister Rastem Umero. As he explained, while stressing that the Ukrainian team was instructed to discuss a ceasefire.

Zelenski noted that if a ceasefire agreement was reached at a technical level during talks in Constantinople, a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin may not be necessary.

However, he warned that if Russia does not show a real disposition for negotiations, the international community should intensify pressure on Moscow.

“Russia does not feel that it needs to end the war, which means that there is no sufficient political, economic and other pressure on the Russian federation,” Zelenski said.

“That is why we ask if there is no ceasefire, if no serious decisions are made … We are calling for the appropriate sanctions.”

The Ukrainian President said Kiev is awaiting information from the United States and Turkey on the exact time of the meeting
Finally, he said he had a “good discussion” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Russia “ready for possible compromises”

The leader of the Russian delegation in Istanbul, Vladimir Mentinsky, told the Russian state agency RIA that Moscow is “ready for discussions” and possible compromises, in the context of a possible re -launch of peace negotiations.

“We are ready for discussions, to reopen the Istanbul negotiations, we are prepared for possible compromises and the discussion,” Mentinsky said, referring to the latest direct talks between Russia and Ukraine.

The talks at that time had collapsed, as Russia had put forward demands that many observers described Ukraine as a demand for complete surrender.

Mentinsky said that the Russian delegation includes “senior representatives from all competent government agencies”, possibly in response to the criticism of Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, who had put Vladimir Putin’s absence and the mission of technocrats.