US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Istanbul this morning ahead of direct talks between Russia and the United States later in the day, which will be the first since spring 2022, an AFP journalist reported, BTA reported.
Rubio will not participate in the talks between Moscow and Kiev, which are due to begin with Turkish mediation at 12:30 p.m. Bulgarian time, but the Americans are expected to have separate meetings with the Ukrainians and Turks, on the one hand, and also with the Russians from 10:45 a.m. Bulgarian time in Istanbul, Turkish sources reported.
Michael Anton, director of policy planning at the State Department, will represent the United States in today's working-level talks with the Russian delegation in Istanbul, Reuters reported, citing a statement by State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.
The meetings are part of broader diplomatic efforts to find a way to end the war in Ukraine. The talks are being held in Turkey.
The Ukrainian delegation to the talks with Russia in Istanbul will be headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday after meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Reuters reported.
Zelensky, who called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire with Russia, said at a news conference in Ankara that he would not travel to Istanbul for the talks. This decision was made after Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier said he would not attend and sent a team that, in Zelensky's words, "does not include anyone who actually makes decisions."