WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
A new round of talks on a possible end to the war in Ukraine began in Istanbul today, but without the presence of key players: Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Who is negotiating on behalf of Russia and Ukraine?
Ukraine and Russia are set to hold their first direct peace talks in more than three years in Istanbul this week, although the exact time and format of the meeting are not yet known.
Moscow has decided not to send its most prominent diplomats – including Putin's chief foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov – but has instead sent an unusual line-up of officials, including a former culture minister known for his ultranationalist views and a notorious intelligence chief.
The Ukrainian delegation, made up of President Volodymyr Zelensky's most trusted aides, is set to travel from Ankara to Istanbul.
Russian Team
Vladimir Medinsky
The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, a former culture minister known for his ultra-conservative views and current advisor to Vladimir Putin. Medinsky is an ardent nationalist and is known for promoting a revisionist, state-centric version of Russian history and values. His book series Myths about Russia attempts to challenge what he sees as anti-Russian narratives, but has often been criticized for distorting historical facts.
He became the subject of ridicule after claiming that Russians have an “extra chromosome,” a bizarre and scientifically unfounded claim he made to emphasize the supposed uniqueness and resilience of the Russian people.
Medinsky already led the Russian delegation at peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul in the spring of 2022, and today plays a significant role in creating the Kremlin’s war propaganda. He has also participated in the creation of new history textbooks that portray Ukraine as an ultra-nationalist state and justify the invasion as a response to aggression from the West.
Igor Kostyukov
Another prominent member of the Russian delegation in Turkey is Igor Kostyukov, head of the GRU – Russia’s military intelligence service, responsible for some of Moscow’s most notorious covert operations in recent history.
Kostyukov is under US sanctions for his alleged role in meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, as well as the UK for the 2018 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, which killed Dawn Sturgess.
Recently, the GRU has been linked to a series of sabotage actions across Europe – from arson and cyberattacks, to data theft and attempts to compromise undersea cables.
Aleksandr Vasilyevich Fomin
Lieutenant General Aleksandr Vasilyevich Fomin is an experienced Russian military officer and diplomat. Like Medinsky, he was a member of the delegation to the talks with Ukraine in Istanbul in 2022.
Although not a publicly recognizable figure in Russia, Fomin has been building himself up as one of the Kremlin's key military-diplomatic figures for years. His name is linked to the expansion of Russian military cooperation with countries outside the Western world – from arms sales to Myanmar and Egypt, to increasingly close relations with North Korea and Iran.
Mikhail Galuzin
Mikhail Galuzin is not considered a classic representative of the Kremlin's hard line. An intellectual, he speaks fluent Japanese and often quotes classical literature. He began his career at the Soviet embassy in Tokyo and has since been considered an expert on East Asia – he was ambassador to Indonesia and then to Japan.
However, after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Galuzin returned to Moscow. In late 2022, he was appointed deputy foreign minister and is now in charge of relations with the countries of the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine, which Moscow still considers part of its "sphere of influence".
Ukrainian Team
Rustem Umerov
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's Defense Minister since September 2023, is of Crimean Tatar descent and a former investment banker with strong ties to Turkey. He speaks fluent Turkish and practices Islam, and has played a significant role in Kiev's efforts to rally international support for the return of Crimea. Umerov was one of the co-chairs of the diplomatic summit on the Crimean Platform and participated in Ukraine's first talks with Russia in 2022. His arrival as minister has been interpreted as a sign of reform in the defense ministry, which was previously plagued by corruption.
Andriy Yermak
Andriy Yermak is the chief of staff of the Ukrainian president and is considered the second most influential person in the country, right after the president. A former entertainment lawyer and film producer, Yermak became a close associate of Zelensky during his media career, and joined his political team in 2019.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022, Yermak has become a key figure in Ukraine's wartime leadership. He has been in charge of foreign policy, intelligence coordination, and high-level diplomacy, including prisoner exchanges and peace negotiations. His influence has earned him the nicknames "Green Cardinal" and "de facto vice president." His role has drawn both praise and criticism, with some accusing him of centralizing power.
Vasyl Malyuk
A surprising presence in the delegation, Vasyl Malyuk has been the chief of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) since February 2023. A professional intelligence officer who rarely travels publicly, Malyuk has been instrumental in transforming the SBU into a more agile and effective force during the Russian invasion. He is believed to have overseen high-profile actions, such as the arrest of pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, as well as the development of naval drones used in attacks on the Russian navy.
Andriy Sibiga
Andriy Sibiga is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, appointed to the post in September 2024, after a long career in diplomacy and in the presidential administration. Skilled in communication and fluent in English and Polish, he is considered a reliable Zelensky associate, having served for years as deputy chief of staff of the president, overseeing foreign policy and helping coordinate international alliances during the war.
Andriy Gnatov
Andriy Gnatov is the recently appointed chief of the General Staff, promoted in March 2025 as part of Zelensky’s military reforms. An experienced naval officer with over twenty years of service, he is known for his frontline leadership and loyalty in the most difficult moments.
During the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Gnatov was one of the few Ukrainian sailors who did not defect to the Russian side, but left the peninsula with a group of 200 soldiers and set out to rebuild the navy. He later commanded the 36th Independent Naval Brigade and played key roles in the defense of Mykolaiv and Bakhmut.
