US EditionUkraine's Zelensky says he is 'ready' for talks with Putin in a news conference in Turkey
- Rustem Umerov, a 43-year-old former businessman appointed as defence minister in 2023, led the Ukrainian team during peace negotiations with Russia held in Istanbul on Friday.
- The talks occurred amidst Russia's ongoing invasion that began a year and a half before Umerov's ministry appointment, with Putin declining to attend and sending a low-level delegation.
- Umerov, noted for his negotiation skills, Crimean Tatar roots, and unflappable manner, played central roles in wartime diplomacy, including a major 2022 prisoner exchange and a grain export deal brokered by Turkey and the UN.
- Despite his diplomatic achievements, Umerov was criticized by several experts last September for creating disorder within his ministry, faced scrutiny over procurement transparency—especially regarding Western military aid—and was investigated by Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities in January for alleged abuse of power, accusations he refuted by stating he aimed to safeguard confidentiality in sensitive state contracts.
- Kyiv expects limited progress from the talks, while advisers praise Umerov's communication style, with Sergiy Leshchenko calling his nomination a "beautiful political gesture" signaling no compromise on Crimea.
58 Articles
58 Articles
War in Ukraine: Who Is Roustem Oumerov, This End Negotiator Charmer Who "Impresses" His Own?
Ukrainian Defense Minister since 2023, in the midst of Russian invasion, Rustam Umerov is at the head of his country's delegation to the Istanbul talks with the Russians. An eminent figure of the Crimean Tatar community, he has the reputation of being a negotiating end. ...
Rustem Umerov: The 'Charismatic' Defense Minister Leading Kyiv's Delegation in Istanbul
Rustem Umerov, the Ukrainian defense minister leading Kyiv's delegation at peace talks with Russia on Friday, is hailed by his colleagues as a skilled and pragmatic negotiator.
Umerov: ‘Wonder’ dealmaker from Crimea leading Ukraine peace talks
Rustem Umerov, who heads Ukraine's delegation at peace talks with Russia on Friday, is a skilled and pragmatic negotiator, hailed by his colleagues as a worker of diplomatic "wonders". The 43-year-old former businessman became defence minister in 2023, a year and half into Russia's invasion, and has spearheaded some of Kyiv's most sensitive wartime diplomacy
Daily Journal
Umerov: 'Wonder' dealmaker from Crimea leading Ukraine peace talks
Rustem Umerov, who heads Ukraine's delegation at peace talks with Russia on Friday, is a skilled and pragmatic negotiator, hailed by his colleagues as a worker of diplomatic "wonders".
BBC World Service - Newshour, Ukraine attends peace talks, Russia sends a junior team
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he's still ready for talks with Russia's President Putin, but that Moscow is not serious about negotiations. He was speaking in Turkey, where he's met President Erdogan. Mr Zelensky accused Russia of disrespecting Turkey and the United States by sending a comparatively low- level delegation to Istanbul for talks, after Mr Putin decided not to attend. Mr Zelensky said he'd nevertheless send a delega…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
