The time of the Ukraine-Russia talks has been announced. The delegations have already departed for Istanbul

The third round of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations will take place today in Istanbul at 7:00 PM, according to Ukrainian media citing the press service of the Turkish presidential administration. Turkish media have also confirmed this information.

According to Suspilne, the Ukrainian delegation has already departed for Istanbul.

Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian delegation has also headed to Istanbul, where the third round of talks with Ukraine is scheduled for this evening.

He noted that the composition of the Russian delegation remains unchanged and is still headed by Vladimir Medinsky.

The Ukrainian delegation will again be led by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) and former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. It will also include representatives from Ukrainian intelligence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the President.

Ahead of this evening’s discussions on peace memorandums, both Ukraine and Russia have criticized each other’s proposals.

“Nothing in this [Russian] memorandum is applicable,” said Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister and negotiation team member Serhiy Kyslytsia in an interview with Libération.

“The discussion will be difficult: the draft memorandums on a settlement are diametrically opposed,” Kremlin spokesman Peskov stated.

To recall, Ukraine is calling for a long-term ceasefire first, followed by negotiations on peace terms.

Russia, however, demands either the withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) from four Ukrainian regions as a precondition for a ceasefire, or the signing of a “roadmap” that includes the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops along with elements of “demilitarization” and “denazification.”

Previously, the Kremlin also said it does not expect any “breakthroughs” in the upcoming talks with Ukraine. President Zelensky, however, noted that preparing for a possible meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and Russia will be one of the topics discussed during the negotiations in Istanbul.