The planned Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul will be held in a bilateral format, and there is no question of mediation by other countries.

Axar.az reports that Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated this.

According to her, the Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, an assistant to President Vladimir Putin, will arrive in Istanbul with a draft memorandum and other proposals on the ceasefire. She emphasized that the initiative of the Russian President, supported by US President Donald Trump, envisages a bilateral format of negotiations.

“Of course, we express our gratitude to our Turkish friends for their hospitality and for creating comfortable conditions. However, there is no question of mediation by Turkiye or anyone else,” the diplomat noted.

Commenting on the news about the possible arrival of representatives of the US, Great Britain, Germany, and France in Istanbul, Zakharova emphasized that Russia respects freedom of movement, but does not see a connection between these visits and the Russian-Ukrainian talks.