Today, May 15, 2025, the first direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine since the spring of 2022 begin in Istanbul, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is not present at the meeting. The Russian delegation is headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who previously led the negotiations in Istanbul in 2022.

The delegation included Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, who oversees relations with the CIS countries, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (GRU) Igor Kostyukov and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, who was responsible for international military cooperation. Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova clarified that the start of the negotiations was postponed until the second half of the day at the initiative of Turkey due to the need to coordinate protocols.

The talks are taking place behind closed doors at the Dolmabahce Palace, and their duration will depend on the progress of the discussions. According to Radio NV, the Ukrainian delegation is represented by the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite his previously stated readiness to meet in person with Putin, is spending the day in Ankara, where he meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The absence of the leaders of both countries, as the BBC notes, reduces expectations for the talks, which are perceived as technical.

The initiative to resume dialogue came from Putin, who on May 11 proposed holding talks without preconditions, continuing the 2022 format. Zelensky agreed to the meeting, but insisted on a 30-day truce from May 12, supported by the leaders of France, Germany, Great Britain and Poland.