Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Russian delegation arrives Istanbul ahead of Ukraine peace talks

Mr Medinsky, a presidential adviser and former culture minister, is considered a political lightweight in Moscow.

• May 15, 2025
Russian delegation
Russian delegation[Credit: AP News]

The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, with their plane landing at Atatürk Airport, the Interfax news agency reported on Thursday.

The exact time for the start of negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation is yet to be confirmed, the agency reported, citing sources close to the Russian negotiators.

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin himself proposed the direct talks in Istanbul, but until recently, he had not confirmed whether he would attend in person.

It was only late on Wednesday that it became known that Vladimir Medinsky would head the Russian delegation.

Mr Medinsky, a presidential adviser and former culture minister, is considered a political lightweight in Moscow.

He previously led the last direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, which ended without any breakthroughs.

(dpa/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Gov Ododo

States

Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says

“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.

Pete Hegseth

Heading 1

U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth

“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.

Toba Ajiboye

Lagos

Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears

Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.

Migrants' boat

Africa

144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR

“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.

Daniel Ortega and Marco Rubio

World

U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua 

Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.

Oleksandr Syrskyi

World

Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister

Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.