Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting late last night with some of the highest-ranking representatives of the Russian government to discuss the upcoming peace talks with Ukraine. This was announced by the Kremlin, quoted by Reuters, reports BTA.
Among the participants in the consultations were Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as well as heads of Russian intelligence services and senior military commanders.
Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine are expected to begin today in Istanbul. The meeting is scheduled for the Turkish “Dolmabahce“ palace and is part of efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict that began with the Russian invasion in February 2022.