Russian officials are trying to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin not to participate in a possible meeting with President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky in Istanbul. This is stated in the daily report of the Institute of War Study (ISW).
ISW analysts drew attention to the statements of a number of Russian officials who publicly express skepticism about the idea of direct negotiations. Thus, the deputy chairman of the Council of the Federation of the Russian Federation Konstantin Kosachev called Zelensky "performance" and "comedian", noting that in the conditions of war they do not meet this level.
The sincerity of the Ukrainian invitation was expressed by the Ambassador from the special orders of Russia, Rodion Miroshnik. In his turn, on May 12, the deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs said that Putin's trip to Istanbul is unlikely to be negotiated with Zelensky.
ISW believes that although the Kremlin's official response was not heard at the invitation of Zelensky, the lower -level officials clearly indicates the reluctance or fear of the Russian leadership to consider direct negotiations as a realistic scenario.
Analysts note that such rhetoric can testify not only to the lack of political will to the de -escalation by the Russian Federation, but also to the internal struggle in the Russian elites regarding further strategy in the war against Ukraine.
