Zelenskyy Approves Ukrainian Delegation for Talks with Russia
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally approved the composition of Ukraine’s delegation for upcoming negotiations with the Russian Federation, The Gaze reports.
While the official date of the next round of talks has yet to be confirmed by Kyiv, the Kremlin has stated that delegations are expected to arrive on July 23, with negotiations to begin the following day.
According to Turkish media Independent Türkçe, a technical-level meeting may take place in Istanbul on July 24 or 25.
The newly approved Ukrainian delegation is led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary and former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, reflecting the military-security nature of Ukraine’s negotiation priorities. The composition of the team suggests a heavily defense- and intelligence-driven approach.
The delegation includes:
- Top defense leadership, including Deputy Chiefs of the General Staff and representatives from the Navy and Air Force;
- Senior intelligence officials, such as the deputy heads of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR);
- Legal and diplomatic experts, including First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya and military legal adviser Andrii Fomin;
- Human rights and protocol representatives, including an official from the office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
While Zelenskyy recently stated that negotiations could begin as early as July 23, Ukrainian officials have not officially confirmed the date. Nonetheless, both Kyiv and Moscow appear to be preparing for renewed dialogue in Turkey.
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