Vladimir Putin's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, a former Russian culture minister and historian, is leading Russia's delegation in peace talks with Ukraine. Mr. Medinsky's past comments claiming Russians possess an extra chromosome due to their superiority have added to the controversy surrounding his appointment.
Putin's decision to send a low-level delegation, rather than senior officials, has raised concerns about his commitment to meaningful peace negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the Russian delegation as merely 'decorative'.
Medinsky previously led Russian negotiations in 2022, where his hardline stance demanding Ukrainian capitulation and disarmament led to the talks collapsing. His inclusion in the current Istanbul talks further indicates a lack of serious intent toward peace.
US President Donald Trump has expressed doubt about a successful breakthrough in Istanbul until a meeting between himself and Putin takes place. This highlights the global skepticism surrounding the current peace talks.
The Russian team comprises members from the diplomatic corps and military intelligence. Their presence in Istanbul seems to be largely symbolic, given the lack of high-ranking officials involved.
Vladimir Putin’s chief delegate at peace talks with Ukraine is a historian who once claimed that Russians have an extra chromosome due to their superiority.
Having refused to attend the negotiations himself or even to send any senior officials, Putin has sent a low-level delegation to peace talks in Istanbul led by Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s former culture minister.
Mr Medinsky’s presence at the head of a Russian team lacking any Kremlin heavyweights earned derision from Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, who called the delegation “decorative” and argued that it was evidence of Putin’s insincerity.
The historian also led Russian negotiators during fruitless talks in 2022 and adopted such a hardline position by demanding Ukraine’s capitulation, disarmament and future neutrality that the negotiations promptly collapsed.
With Donald Trump, the US president, dismissing the likelihood of any breakthrough in Istanbul until he has met with Putin, Mr Medinsky and his team, drawn from Russia’s diplomatic corps and military intelligence, seem to be in Istanbul largely as placeholders.
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