Moscow open to compromises in Istanbul talks, Putin’s aide says

He made this statement to journalists on May 15, according to Russia's TASS news agency.

According to Medinsky, the Russian side is ready to resume the negotiation process in Istanbul, which was interrupted in 2022.

“We are ready to discuss and resume the course of the Istanbul talks, ready for possible compromises and to discuss them,” he said.

“We are in a working mood,” Medinsky added.

As reported by RIA Novosti, Medinsky previously noted that “the purpose of these negotiations is to address the root causes of the conflict and build a lasting peace.”

Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul

In a nighttime address on May 11, Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed he was ready for direct talks with Ukraine in Turkey next week, but he dismissed the idea of a 30-day truce. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would keep working with both sides and predicted that the coming week would be “great.”

On May 12, the German government announced that if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine by the end of the day, European partners would begin preparations for new sanctions. In contrast, the Kremlin stated that “the language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia.”

Advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Mykhailo Podolyak, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would not meet with any Russian representative other than Vladimir Putin in Turkey on May 15. Later, Zelenskyy himself confirmed his personal visit to Turkey for a meeting with Putin.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the talks in Istanbul with Kyiv should recognize the "realities on the ground," including Russia’s incorporation of Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that if his meeting with the Russian leader takes place on May 15 in Turkey, the main topics of discussion will be a complete ceasefire and a full exchange of prisoners of war.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that on the evening of May 14, Russian leader Vladimir Putin held a meeting to prepare for talks with Kyiv in Istanbul.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin will not be present during the talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Turkey on May 15.