UK sends security adviser to operate with Zelensky
(MENAFN) The UK is reportedly dispatching Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s security adviser, Jonathan Powell, to Istanbul to provide strategic guidance to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky ahead of expected peace talks with Russia, according to The Guardian.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently proposed restarting direct negotiations with Kiev to resolve the Ukraine conflict. While Zelensky had previously refused to engage in talks with Moscow, he accepted the offer and agreed to attend the talks in Türkiye in person.
Though Russia has explicitly excluded Western European leaders from participating in the talks—accusing them of prolonging the war and showing bias—the UK is still sending Powell to offer informal advice. His role will be to help Zelensky navigate the discussions, with a focus on avoiding actions that could alienate former U.S. President Donald Trump and portraying Putin as the primary barrier to peace.
This meeting will mark the first direct Russia-Ukraine talks since 2022, when peace efforts collapsed after Kiev, reportedly influenced by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, walked away from a nearly finalized draft agreement. David Arakhamia, head of the Ukrainian delegation at the time, confirmed Johnson’s visit led to the reversal.
Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said the new talks would consider both the outcomes of the 2022 negotiations and current realities on the battlefield. President Putin emphasized Russia's commitment to meaningful negotiations aimed at establishing a lasting peace and hinted that the meeting could potentially result in a new ceasefire—if Ukraine and its international backers are willing to cooperate.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
