Zelensky establishes permanent negotiating group for discussions with Russia
(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has established a “permanent expanded national negotiating group” in the wake of recent direct talks between Kiev and Moscow held in Istanbul, Türkiye. These discussions marked the first face-to-face engagement between the two sides since 2022, initiated after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed resuming peace talks without preconditions.
During the two-hour meeting, both parties agreed on a large-scale prisoner exchange, outlined preliminary ceasefire terms, and planned further negotiations. Zelensky announced the new negotiating team in a Telegram post, emphasizing Ukraine’s willingness to hold leadership-level talks to address key issues and affirming that the country is unafraid of direct negotiations with Russia.
The Kremlin has indicated that direct talks between Putin and Zelensky remain possible if progress is made and concrete agreements are reached. On the same day, US President Donald Trump spoke with Putin, later stating that negotiations for a ceasefire and an end to the conflict would begin immediately.
Putin expressed gratitude toward the US for facilitating renewed dialogue, stressing the need for both sides to show a strong commitment to peace and reach compromises. He also expressed readiness to work on a memorandum for a future peace deal, including a potential temporary ceasefire. Russia’s primary goal, Putin said, is to address the root causes of the crisis.
Previous peace talks in early 2022 ended abruptly when Kiev withdrew, a decision reportedly influenced by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who allegedly advised Ukraine against signing any agreement. Johnson has denied these claims.
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