Russian Delegation Arrives in Istanbul for Talks on Ukrainian Settlement
12:22 23.07.2025 (Updated: 19:16 23.07.2025)
© Sputnik / Ramil Sitdikov
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The Russian delegation for the new round of negotiations with Ukraine still includes four main members and four experts, a source told Sputnik on Wednesday.
The next round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is expected to start in Istanbul on Wednesday evening.
This is the third round of talks since they restarted in May after a hiatus of over three years.
The composition of the Russian delegation has not changed compared to previous rounds:
Vladimir Medinsky, Russian Presidential Aide
Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin
Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Directorate Igor Kostyukov
Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin
What's On The Table
The upcoming discussions will be “quite complex,” primarily centering on two contrasting draft memoranda regarding the terms of a potential settlement, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
These documents were exchanged during the second round of talks on June 2.
“There will be an exchange of opinions and actual negotiations on these two projects,” Peskov confirmed.
“Significant diplomatic work” lies ahead before any high- or top-level meetings between the two countries can be considered, noted the Kremlin press secretary.
Although reaching agreements on prisoner exchanges or the return of fallen soldiers' bodies would be considered productive, Peskov warned against anticipating swift or comprehensive outcomes.
“Of course, there is no reason to count on any breakthroughs from a variety of miracles,” he said. “It is unlikely that this is possible given the current situation.”
Previously, President Vladimir Putin stated that the Russian negotiating team is in constant contact with their Ukrainian counterparts and confirmed the country’s readiness for the next round.
Russia–Ukraine Peace Talks Timeline
Direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine resumed on May 16, 2025, at the initiative of Vladimir Putin, ending a hiatus of more than three years.
During the first round of talks on May 16, the sides agreed to a "1,000 for 1,000" prisoner swap.
At the second round, on June 2, the parties exchanged draft memoranda outlining proposals for a peaceful settlement.
They also agreed to swap seriously wounded POWs, and to return the bodies of the dead. As part of this effort, Moscow handed over several thousand bodies of deceased soldiers to Ukraine.
