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Russia-Ukraine peace talks to be held in Istanbul amid lingering differences

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Russia-Ukraine peace talks to be held in Istanbul amid lingering differences

2025-05-16 11:59 Last Updated At:18:57

The Russia-Ukraine peace talks are expected to be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, as the Russian delegation has expressed readiness to participate, while the Ukrainian side has not yet issued a statement regarding the timing of the negotiations.

The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul on Thursday to prepare for the negotiations. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation and senior aide to President Vladimir Putin, said on Thursday night that starting 10:00 on Friday, the Russian delegation will be waiting for the Ukrainian side, that should arrive for the meeting to begin the talks.

Medinsky said that his team has the necessary competencies to conduct negotiations and will focus on "finding possible solutions" and common ground through a constructive approach.

Speaking outside the Russian consulate in Istanbul, Medinsky said that Russia views the fresh negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul as a "continuation" of the peace process disrupted in 2022, claiming that his team's objective is to secure a lasting peace by "addressing the underlying causes of the conflict."

Medinsky said he had met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday to present their position ahead of the talks.

Also on Thursday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans to visit Istanbul in the near future.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that a Ukrainian delegation would attend the peace talks in Istanbul, though he would not personally show up at the negotiating table.

Zelensky has concluded his visit to Türkiye and left for the Albanian capital.

The delegation will be led by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, alongside professionals, including military and intelligence officers, Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine is awaiting confirmation from both the U.S. government and the Russian side on the exact schedule for the talks, which are expected to take place either Thursday or Friday.

On top of that, Zelensky stressed that he is ready for discussions if an unconditional ceasefire will be discussed at the level of leaders.

Speaking to reporters separately after a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Türkiye's Antalya, Fidan said that both Russia and Ukraine have, in principle, expressed their willingness for a ceasefire. However, each has its own considerations: Ukraine favors an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, while Russia maintains that certain modalities must first be understood and agreed upon.

Fidan said the Ukraine-Russia negotiations have now reached a certain stage, urging both parties to make concessions and take steps towards establishing a common peace.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also attended the NATO meeting, said they support a negotiated settlement. "We will see what happens over the next couple of days in that regard, but we want to see progress," he said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Paris is pushing for an "urgent" and "unconditional" ceasefire.

According to a TASS report, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto expressed the hope for the success of the upcoming talks on resolving the Ukrainian conflict, urging the European Union not to undermine the negotiations.

The Istanbul talks follow a proposal by Putin on Sunday to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine. Zelensky has previously said he is open to a face-to-face meeting with Putin.

The last direct talks between Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul in March 2022, where the two sides failed to agree to halt the fighting.

Russia-Ukraine peace talks to be held in Istanbul amid lingering differences

Russia-Ukraine peace talks to be held in Istanbul amid lingering differences

Russia-Ukraine peace talks to be held in Istanbul amid lingering differences

Russia-Ukraine peace talks to be held in Istanbul amid lingering differences

Russia-Ukraine peace talks to be held in Istanbul amid lingering differences

Russia-Ukraine peace talks to be held in Istanbul amid lingering differences

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Israel launches preemptive strike on Iran, killing military leaders

2025-06-13 14:12 Last Updated At:14:37

Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran early Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, senior military leaders and research scientists in a major escalation against Tehran.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement that its jets have completed the first-stage attack, notably strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address that the goal of the ongoing operation is "to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Iran's ballistic missile factories, and Iran's military capabilities," and will continue "for as many days as it takes."

Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Deputy Army Commander Gholam-Ali Rashid were martyred as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The Israeli airstrikes also killed two Iranian nuclear scientists, identified as Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, the report said. However, the Iranian side has denied reports that Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri was killed in the Israeli airstrikes, according to IRNA. A spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces said that Israel, with the support of the United States, launched attacks on many places in Iran, including residential areas, and will pay a "heavy price" for this, and await strong response from the Iranian armed forces.

Explosions were reported in Tehran and counties of Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad, the Iranian state TV reported, adding that multiple casualties, including women and children, were reported in a residential building in Tehran.

Both Israel and Iran closed their airspace following the attack. Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any U.S. assistance or involvement in the "unilateral" attack, adding that Israel had told Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

Earlier on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a possible "massive conflict" in the Middle East, saying that "I don't want them going in" as a new round of Oman-mediated negotiations between the United States and Iran will be held in Muscat Sunday.

"I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close to an agreement ... As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in because that would blow it," he told reporters in the White House.

Israel launches preemptive strike on Iran, killing military leaders

Israel launches preemptive strike on Iran, killing military leaders

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