Putin to announce who will go to talks with Ukraine when he deems it necessary – Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has said that Russia is preparing for the peace talks in Istanbul, and the Kremlin will announce who is to represent the Russian side in the talks with Ukraine as soon as Putin deems it necessary.

Source: propaganda media outlets RIA Novosti, Kommersant and Interfax

Quote from Peskov, in response to a question about who will represent Russia at the talks in Istanbul: "No, as soon as the president [the Russian ruler – ed.] deems it necessary, we will announce it." [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president.]

Details: Peskov said Russia continues to prepare for the talks in Istanbul on 15 May. "Here we need to proceed from what was said in the president's nighttime statement following the 9 May celebrations. The Russian side continues to prepare for the talks to be held on Thursday. We are not going to make any further comment for now," Peskov said.

Background:

• Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin said in a statement on 11 May that he is ready for "direct talks" with Kyiv in Istanbul on Thursday 15 May, but made no mention of the 30-day ceasefire.
• On 11 May, US President Donald Trump publicly called on Ukraine to accept Russia's proposal for direct negotiations in Istanbul on 15 May, despite the Kremlin's refusal to agree to the 30-day ceasefire demanded by Kyiv and its Western allies.
• Zelenskyy reaffirmed on the evening of 11 May that Ukraine expects a full and lasting ceasefire from Russia starting on 12 May and declared that he will personally be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on 15 May for potential peace talks.
• Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed doubt that the Russian side has even a fraction of the courage shown by President Zelenskyy, who has offered Putin a face-to-face meeting in Türkiye.
• The US President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said that Donald Trump had issued an ultimatum to Ukraine and Russia to make progress in the negotiations; otherwise, the United States would withdraw from the peace process to end the war.

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