'Putin's choice of sending Medinsky reinforces idea this is a continuation of failed talks in 2022'

#Ukraine #Turkey #Russia
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is meeting with top Turkish and Ukrainian officials Friday after landing in Istanbul ahead of the first direct Russia-Ukraine talks in three years. Ukraine's negotiators will be led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, while the Russian side is headed by Vladimir Medinsky, a hawkish adviser to Putin who has questioned Ukraine's right to exist and led failed talks at the start of the war. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective,