The peace talks between Russia and Ukraine taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, seem to be trapped in uncertainty. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not participating in the upcoming discussions in Istanbul. Similarly, both Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have opted out of direct involvement. While Russia and Ukraine have made their presence known in different Turkish cities, President Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara and the Russian delegation has reached Istanbul.
What did Zelenskyy say upon reaching Ankara?
While speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Zelenskyy criticized the composition of the Russian delegation and accused Moscow of not taking the negotiations seriously. He stated that Russia seems uninterested in needing to end the conflict. Zelenskyy remarked, "There is no timeline, agenda, or high-level delegation from Russia. I believe that the U.S. and Turkey feel the same about Russia's attitude."
He emphasized that a ceasefire is their first priority and expressed doubt that Russia is serious about ending the war: "We'll see if they are ready to show even the slightest effort during the discussion."
What did the U.S. say?
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that success will only be achieved through a direct conversation between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rubio noted that Moscow sent a second-tier team for discussions in Turkey.
Speaking with reporters, Rubio stated that he would be traveling to Istanbul to meet with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the Ukrainian delegation on Friday. However, he tempered expectations, indicating that he does not anticipate significant outcomes from the talks.
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Trump draws the line…
Previously, Trump announced he would not attend the Istanbul summit, despite earlier hints that he might alter his Middle East itinerary to participate. He asserted, "There will be no peace deal until Putin and I come together."
Trump's statement clearly indicates low expectations for significant progress from the talks in Istanbul, despite it being the first face-to-face since 2022 between Russia and Ukraine. A substantial divide remains between the two parties. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia would be represented officially by a delegation during peace talks in Turkey, discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky will lead the Russian delegation, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Ministers Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (GRU).
