RIA Novosti: Erdogan's May 15 schedule omits meeting with Russian and Ukrainian delegations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's schedule for May 15 does not include a meeting with delegations from Russia and Ukraine, who will meet in Istanbul for direct talks for the first time in three years, according to the Russian RIA Novosti.

While Russian and Ukrainian delegations prepare for their first direct negotiations in three years, Erdoğan is expected to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his official residence in Ankara. 

Following the meeting, he is scheduled to participate in events organised by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB).

The anticipated talks in Istanbul follow a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 11, calling for unconditional direct negotiations with Ukraine. Putin suggested resuming dialogue on May 15 in the Turkish city where peace talks were last held in 2022 before being interrupted.

In response, President Zelenskyy expressed willingness to meet Putin in Istanbul on the proposed date, but under one condition — that Russia agrees to a complete ceasefire.

On May 14, the Kremlin formalised the composition of its negotiating team. The Russian delegation will be led by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky and will include Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, General Igor Kostyukov, who heads the General Staff’s Main Directorate, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and a group of expert advisers.

Notably absent from the diplomatic scene is former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was previously rumoured to participate in the talks. Reports have confirmed he will not travel to Türkiye for the occasion.

The renewed dialogue raises cautious hopes for a possible diplomatic breakthrough in a conflict that has caused widespread destruction and geopolitical instability since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, expectations remain tempered amid ongoing military operations and deep divisions between the two sides.

By Khagan Isayev