Ukrainian leader names chief negotiator ahead of talks in Türkiye

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will once again lead Kyiv’s delegation as Moscow and Kyiv prepare for a new round of negotiations in Türkiye’s Istanbul on June 2.

“I heard reports from the defence minister, the foreign minister, the General Staff, intelligence service, and the Security Service of Ukraine. We outlined our positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday [June 2],” Caliber.Az reports, citing Zelenskyy’s message on Telegram. 

The agenda is expected to include a wide range of issues, with a focus on a potential ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners, Zelenskyy added. Russian media have reported that the Russian delegation has already departed for Türkiye to attend the talks.

The previous round of negotiations, held on May 16, concluded with an agreement to exchange prisoners based on a "1,000-for-1,000" formula and included the presentation of each side’s vision for a potential future ceasefire. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting.

By Naila Huseynova