Putin sends chemical weapon suspect to Ukraine | Political News

Igor Olegovich Kostyukov, a Russian intelligence officer implicated in the “reckless use of a chemical weapon” during the 2018 Salisbury poisonings, is reportedly attending ceasefire discussions with Ukraine this week. Amid rumors that Russian President Vladimir Putin fears an assassination attempt, he stays in Russia while Kostyukov heads to the talks in Istanbul.

Kostyukov, 64, serves as the pinnacle of the GRU, Russia‘s army intelligence service. Two GRU operatives, Anatoliy Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin, are prime suspects in the 2018 nerve agent assault on Sergei Skripal and his daughter. The Kremlin has persistently refuted any involvement in the poisonings, an incident that has prompted fears over Russia’s functionality to perform assaults on overseas soil.

The assault also claimed the life of Dawn Sturgess, 44, who was uncovered to the deadly Novichok agent. In January 2019, then-Tory overseas secretary Jeremy Hunt sanctioned Kostyukov, stating that the GRU had “put innocent British citizens in serious danger in Salisbury.”

Now, it is reported that Kostyukov is an element of the Russian delegation that flew to Turkey in a particular Kremlin plane for peace negotiations. These talks have been snubbed by Putin, despite an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a direct assembly.

Col Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, the previous commander of the UK’s Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, shared with the Mirror that some “analysts” view Putin as a “dead man walking” due to his struggle in Ukraine. “I don’t think there is a chance in hell that he would or will turn up to Istanbul to face Zelensky as he would believe he could be in danger or face arrest for war crimes,” he said.

“Things are wanting very unhealthy in Russia as even the US now appears to be wanting at conciliation with Ukraine as Trump is realizing he has been performed by Putin. “Putin can not keep enjoying for time and his bluff has been known as brilliantly by Zelensky’s problem to meet him face-to-face in Turkey. “According to Col de Bretton-Gordon, Putin is “extremely paranoid” and has ramped up his security measures as Russia grapples with significant troop losses in the ongoing war and a persistent dip in oil prices. The International Energy Agency reports that Russia‘s revenue from exported oil has plummeted to its lowest point in nearly two years.US President Donald Trump, who won’t be present at the talks, downplayed Putin’s decision to bypass the Istanbul meetings. “I did not suppose it was attainable for Putin to go if I’m not there,” he commented, after previously suggesting that he might attend. President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to arrive in Istanbul on Friday, coinciding with the anticipated talks between Russia and Ukraine. This development comes on the heels of a push for direct negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, amidst a flurry of diplomatic efforts aimed at brokering a ceasefire agreement. According to Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, Zelensky, currently in Turkey, is only willing to engage in direct talks with Putin.The Russian delegation is set to be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a vocal critic of the West who has previously referred to Ukraine‘s existence as a “historic phantom”. He will be accompanied by Colonel General Alexander Fomin, Russia‘s deputy defence minister, and Mikhail Galuzhin, the country’s deputy foreign minister.Meanwhile, the UK has expressed criticism over Putin’s decision to send a “low-level” delegation to the peace talks, rather than agreeing to a face-to-face meeting with Zelensky. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, along with his Nato counterparts, including US Senator Marco Rubio, will be participating in a separate meeting in Turkey.Lammy stated, “We come with one single message to stand by Ukraine and to guarantee that we get a just and lasting, enduring peace.

And the readiness for that peace is demonstrated by President Zelensky being right here in Turkey as properly. And of course, we watched carefully as we head to these talks, noting the Russian low-level people who are coming to signify the Russian facet.

” During the night time, Ukraine‘s air force successfully shot down 62 out of the 100 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones launched by Russia. In Sumy, native officers reported that a missile strike on an industrial space resulted in three fatalities and six accidents, while separate assaults on Kupiansk and Torske each claimed two lives.