Putin Dismisses Head of Ground Forces Ahead of Ukraine Peace Talks in Istanbul
General Oleg Salyukov's removal comes as Turkey prepares to host renewed negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed General Oleg Salyukov, the head of the Russian Ground Forces, shortly before scheduled peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.
The dismissal was confirmed by a presidential decree issued on Thursday evening, although no official reason for the decision was provided, and the Kremlin has yet to announce a successor.
General Salyukov, who has led the Ground Forces since 2014, played a significant role in Russia's military operations in both eastern Ukraine and Syria.
His removal has sparked speculation regarding a potential shift in Russia’s military strategy, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the delicate diplomatic negotiations aimed at resolving it.
The timing of the general's dismissal aligns with high-stakes preparations for peace talks in Turkey, which are being closely monitored by international observers.
President Putin held a closed-door meeting with senior officials on Wednesday night to finalize Russia’s strategy for the negotiations.
A high-level Russian delegation, including a presidential adviser, deputy ministers from both the foreign and defense ministries, as well as intelligence officials, has been dispatched to Istanbul for the talks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the importance of these discussions, having previously met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to deliberate on achieving a just peace to end the war.
In remarks regarding the negotiations, Zelensky noted the need for proactive steps towards resolution, stressing that without action, the conflict may prolong for years.
The Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, characterized the upcoming dialogue as a continuation of peace efforts that were disrupted in 2022.
Furthermore, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the critical nature of top-level diplomacy, indicating the necessity of a potential meeting between President Trump and President Putin to facilitate effective resolutions to the ongoing war.
The dismissal was confirmed by a presidential decree issued on Thursday evening, although no official reason for the decision was provided, and the Kremlin has yet to announce a successor.
General Salyukov, who has led the Ground Forces since 2014, played a significant role in Russia's military operations in both eastern Ukraine and Syria.
His removal has sparked speculation regarding a potential shift in Russia’s military strategy, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the delicate diplomatic negotiations aimed at resolving it.
The timing of the general's dismissal aligns with high-stakes preparations for peace talks in Turkey, which are being closely monitored by international observers.
President Putin held a closed-door meeting with senior officials on Wednesday night to finalize Russia’s strategy for the negotiations.
A high-level Russian delegation, including a presidential adviser, deputy ministers from both the foreign and defense ministries, as well as intelligence officials, has been dispatched to Istanbul for the talks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the importance of these discussions, having previously met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to deliberate on achieving a just peace to end the war.
In remarks regarding the negotiations, Zelensky noted the need for proactive steps towards resolution, stressing that without action, the conflict may prolong for years.
The Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, characterized the upcoming dialogue as a continuation of peace efforts that were disrupted in 2022.
Furthermore, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the critical nature of top-level diplomacy, indicating the necessity of a potential meeting between President Trump and President Putin to facilitate effective resolutions to the ongoing war.
