Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on the 13th that Russia is preparing for talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey, and will announce the representatives for the negotiations on behalf of Russia in due course.
He said at a media briefing that the list of Russian negotiation personnel cannot be disclosed at the moment.
Meanwhile, Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma (lower house of parliament), pointed out on the 13th that regardless of Ukraine's stance, Russian negotiation representatives will appear in Istanbul on the 15th to implement the initiatives proposed by President Putin aimed at achieving genuine peace.
On the 11th, Putin made a statement to the media, proposing that Russia and Ukraine unconditionally resume direct talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on the 15th.
On the other hand, Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office, claimed in a TV program that except for Russian President Putin, Ukrainian President Zelensky would not hold talks with other Russian representatives in Istanbul, as there is no point in holding "lower-level" talks between the sides.
Zelensky Insists on Face-to-Face Talks with Putin
Ukrainian President Zelensky on the 13th stated that he would only attend this week's talks with Russia on the Russia-Ukraine war if Russian President Putin is also present.
He emphasized that Putin's absence from the peace talks in Turkey would be seen as the ultimate indication of Russia's unwillingness to end the war, implying that all sanction commitments by U.S. and European leaders against Russia must then be fulfilled.
He pointed out that if he were to meet with Putin, a comprehensive ceasefire could be achieved through negotiations.
He said, "We will do everything possible to facilitate this meeting. If Putin is truly ready for the meeting, not just in the media but in real life. Then, at the leadership level, we will do everything possible to reach a ceasefire agreement, as I must negotiate with him for a ceasefire. Because only he can decide the ceasefire."