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Zelenskiy describes Russia's delegation to peace talks as 'decorative'

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 15, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Zelenskiy describes Russia's delegation to peace talks as 'decorative'
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KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday Ukraine would decide on the next steps in talks with Russia after his meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Zelenskiy told

Zelenskiy Critiques Low-Level Russian Delegation at Peace Talks

KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday Ukraine would decide on the next steps in talks with Russia after his meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Zelenskiy told reporters at Ankara's airport that the level of the Russian delegation despatched to Turkey for talks was low rank and had an unclear mandate.

"The level of the Russian (delegation) is not known officially to me but from what we see, it looks more like it's on a decorative level," Zelenskiy said. "We need to understand what kind of level the Russian delegation is, and what mandate they have and whether they can make any decisions."

Zelenskiy said the Ukrainian delegation included his foreign minister, military and intelligence chiefs, and also senior officials from his office.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa, Olena Harmash; editing by Christian Lowe and Elizabeth Piper)

Key Takeaways

  • Zelenskiy met with Turkish President Erdogan.
  • Ukraine to decide next steps after Turkey meeting.
  • Zelenskiy criticizes the Russian delegation's rank.
  • Ukrainian delegation includes top officials.
  • Uncertainty over Russian delegation's mandate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Zelenskiy say about the Russian delegation's level?
Zelenskiy described the level of the Russian delegation as low rank and suggested it appeared to be on a decorative level.
Who was part of the Ukrainian delegation?
The Ukrainian delegation included Zelenskiy's foreign minister, military and intelligence chiefs, and senior officials from his office.
What was the context of Zelenskiy's remarks?
Zelenskiy's comments came after his meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan regarding the next steps in talks with Russia.
Where did Zelenskiy make his statements?
Zelenskiy made his statements to reporters at Ankara's airport in Turkey.
What does Zelenskiy want to understand regarding the talks?
Zelenskiy expressed the need to understand the official level and mandate of the Russian delegation in the peace talks.

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