Russian propagandists given Kremlin-approved script for covering Ukraine talks in Istanbul

Meduza reported the information.

The presence of the dictator's aide, Vladimir Medinsky, on the list of participants is recommended to be explained by the fact that he headed the delegation of negotiators in Istanbul in 2022, so “it is logical for him to continue this work.”

In addition, propagandists are advised to say that when forming the delegation, Putin was not influenced “either by Donald Trump’s words or by Zelenskyy’s statements” about the possible imposition of sanctions against Moscow.

"The manual does not mention the position that the Russian delegation is to convey to the Ukrainian side. It also contains no assumptions about the possible course of the negotiations or recommendations on how to cover their outcomes," notes Meduza.

Instead, the authors suggest that propagandists say that the negotiations are now "taking place under worse conditions for Ukraine" than three years ago - though the memo does not explain what exactly constitutes the deterioration of those conditions.

The Kremlin also advises “preparing the audience for the failure of the meeting.” They recommend telling Russians that the new sanctions “will not harm the country’s development,” that Russia is “successfully coping with the challenges of any sanctions,” and that the state budget “has been drafted with them in mind.”

• Vladimir Medinsky, who heads the Russian delegation to the talks with Ukraine, confirmed its arrival in Istanbul and said that Russian representatives were ready to compromise.