MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday approved the composition of the Russian delegation for upcoming talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, Türkiye, according to a Kremlin statement.

The delegation will be led by Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky and include Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin; Igor Kostyukov, chief of the main directorate of the general staff of the Russian army; and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

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Apart from the delegation members, a list of four experts was also approved for the talks.

In a statement on Sunday, Putin proposed the resumption of direct negotiations with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had said he would be in Türkiye on Thursday and expected to meet Putin.

Talks on key issues

The Russian delegation will address political and technical issues at upcoming talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Wednesday.

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Ushakov said that the composition of the Russian delegation would be decided based on the topics that are on the agenda.

He did not confirm whether he would be part of the Russian delegation, and noted that the talks may begin on Thursday morning.