Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will not attend the potential negotiations between Russia and Ukraine scheduled for Thursday in Istanbul, according to reporting by the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
While the Kremlin has not officially disclosed who will represent Russia at the meeting, Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian media on Wednesday that the delegation plans to discuss both “political and technical issues,” suggesting it may include diplomats, technocrats, and business representatives.
Lavrov’s absence is not unusual for preliminary bilateral talks, which are typically conducted at a lower diplomatic level before progressing to involve ministers or heads of state.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would be in Istanbul on Thursday but emphasized that he is only willing to speak directly with President Vladimir Putin.
While the Russian government has not dismissed the possibility of its delegation engaging with Zelensky, the Ukrainian president has maintained that he will not meet with any representatives other than Putin. This position could effectively derail the negotiations before they begin.
One reason for Zelensky’s personal involvement is a decree he issued in October 2022, which became law and prohibits Ukrainian officials from negotiating with Russia while Vladimir Putin remains in power.
On Wednesday, Zelensky reaffirmed the existence of the law but insisted—once again—that it does not apply to him as head of state.
Russia has frequently questioned Zelensky’s legal status as president, noting that his five-year constitutional term expired last May. Citing both the 2022 decree and Zelensky’s contested mandate, Moscow argues that any agreement made with Ukraine could face legal challenges within the country.
Zelensky’s insistence on speaking solely with Putin, combined with the absence of other Ukrainian negotiators authorized to engage with the Russian side, casts serious doubt on the likelihood of substantive progress in Thursday’s proposed talks.