First Direct Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Since 2022 Set for Istanbul Without Putin or Zelensky
By Staff, Agencies
The first direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine since 2022 are scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Thursday, but both Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky are not expected to attend.
Putin had proposed the talks earlier in the week, suggesting they take place without preconditions. However, the Kremlin later confirmed that its delegation would be led by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, without including Putin himself.
Meanwhile, a US official stated that President Donald Trump, who is currently on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East, will also not be attending. Although Trump had previously considered participating, his absence, along with Putin’s, significantly tempers expectations of any major breakthrough.
Zelensky had earlier challenged Putin to appear in person, implying that such a gesture would demonstrate a genuine desire for peace. A Ukrainian official said Zelensky was en route to Turkey on Wednesday night but would only take part in the talks if Putin himself attended.
In his nightly address, Zelensky said Ukraine would decide on how to proceed based on Putin’s confirmed involvement, stating: “The answers to all questions about this war—why it started, why it continues—are in Moscow. How the war will end depends on the world.”
The US is reportedly pushing for a 30-day ceasefire, which Trump believes could pave the way for further negotiations. Zelensky supports an immediate ceasefire, while Putin insists on initial talks to determine the terms.
Russia’s proposal for the Istanbul talks refers to the failed draft agreement from early 2022, which included provisions such as Ukraine’s permanent neutrality in exchange for security guarantees from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—Russia, the US, China, Britain and France—as well as other countries including Germany, Poland and Turkey, as well as the “Israeli” entity.
However, Ukrainian officials have reiterated that neutrality is a red line Kiev is unwilling to cross.
Russia currently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, and while the Kremlin says it is seeking a “durable peace,” it has made few concessions to date.
The US delegation attending the talks includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that he had met with Rubio ahead of the talks to share Zelensky’s vision for peace and align positions for the week ahead.
Medinsky and Fomin, who previously participated in the 2022 negotiations in Istanbul, are part of the Russian delegation, along with other senior military and intelligence officials.
The 2022 talks took place just weeks after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine. Moscow described the campaign as a move to eliminate threats, while Kiev and its allies have characterized it as an unprovoked invasion aimed at territorial expansion.
