The United States and Europe persuaded Vladimir Zelensky not to refuse the participation of the Ukrainian delegation in the talks in Istanbul on May 15. This was reported by The Washington Post on May 14, citing sources.
Zelensky was on the verge of canceling Ukraine's participation until U.S. and European officials pulled him back from the brink on Tuesday evening (May 13)," the publication says.
According to the interlocutors of the publication, the Ukrainian leader intended not only to refuse personal presence at the talks, but also to ban the delegation's trip to Turkey.
However, as indicated in the material, Western officials managed to persuade Zelensky to change his mind.
On May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin took the initiative for direct negotiations, inviting the Ukrainian side to resume dialogue on May 15 in Istanbul three years later. US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to immediately accept Russia's offer.
On May 14, Putin approved the composition of experts for negotiations. The Russian delegation will be headed by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky.
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