On May 14, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized the composition of the Russian delegation at the talks in Istanbul, calling it a "sham" due to the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking officials. He said this in an evening address, commenting on the list of negotiators announced by the Kremlin, headed by presidential aide Volodymyr Medinsky. Zelensky stressed that the final decision on Ukraine's participation in the talks will be made after his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, which "could last several hours." The talks in Istanbul, the first since March 2022, will begin in the afternoon, but the absence of the leaders of both countries reduces expectations for their outcome, as noted by Reuters.

The Russian delegation, which arrived in Istanbul on the morning of May 15, was headed by Medinsky, who had previously led the negotiations in 2022. It included Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff (GRU) Igor Kostyukov and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, RIA Novosti reported. The Ukrainian side, according to Radio NV, is represented by the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak.

The talks, taking place at Dolmabahce Palace, were initiated by Putin on May 11, when he proposed resuming the dialogue without preconditions, continuing the 2022 format. Zelensky agreed, but demanded a 30-day ceasefire from May 12, which was supported by the leaders of France, Germany and Poland, the BBC reported. Russia rejected the condition, accusing Kyiv of violating previous agreements.