TALINNING, Estonia (AP) – Recent discussions have occurred in cities linked to the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev, with attention now shifting toward Istanbul, following Russia’s months-long invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested resuming direct peace talks with Ukraine in various Turkish cities. In response, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called upon Russian officials to meet face-to-face in Turkey.
What happens next is unclear. The Kremlin hasn’t confirmed who would attend the meetings in Türkiye, or if Putin plans to be there. Ukrainian advisor Mykhailo Podolyak indicated that Zelenskyy would only meet with the Russian president.
“The bottom line is, if Putin shows up and plays along, it means he doesn’t want to end the conflict,” he said.
During a recent gathering, Zelenskyy joined French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to issue a joint call for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine starting Monday.
This proposal has the backing of the European Union and U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously vowed to bring the war to a swift conclusion, now stretching into its fourth year. If Putin declines this offer, the leaders plan to impose tougher sanctions on Russia.
Nevertheless, early Sunday, Putin dismissed the proposal and suggested a “no prerequisite” restart of in-person discussions with Ukraine in Istanbul, without clarifying whether Zelenskyy himself would engage in talks or if a representative would suffice.
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, indicated he’d pursue a ceasefire and urged Putin to join him in Türkiye.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to reveal Russia’s representatives for Istanbul but reiterated that Putin’s stance is well-known.
The Trump administration initially initiated separate discussions with both Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia back in March, but subsequent progress has been sparse. Trump expressed optimism about the talks, in stark contrast to his controversial meeting with Zelenskyy on February 28th. He also mentioned considering travel to Qatar and the UAE, later stating that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials would head to Turkey for talks.
Podolyak, in a Tuesday YouTube interview with prominent Russian expatriates, stated that Ukrainian officials would not engage with other Russian representatives in Istanbul apart from Putin.
He noted that while “specific discussions can take place at the right level” with Russia, Zelenskyy’s team believes that low-level meetings usually include many hurdles. “Ultimately, only Putin can decide whether to continue or halt the war,” he concluded.
Zelenskyy mentioned he is anticipating a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. If Putin agrees to meet in Istanbul, both he and Erdogan would go there.
He also added that if Putin opts out, European and American allies should impose further sanctions on Russia.
The Kremlin had earlier branded the discussions in Istanbul during the war’s early stages a “reboot” of peace negotiations in 2022, which fell apart rather quickly. Russia accused Ukraine and its Western allies of wanting to prolong hostilities, while Ukraine countered that Russia’s demands were unreasonable and amounted to ultimatums.
Zelenskyy has claimed that the Russian delegation’s requests included Ukraine’s acknowledgment of Russian control over Donbas—home to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, amendments for neutrality in the constitution, significant cuts to the Ukrainian military, and the surrender of long-range weaponry. “There were no negotiations; it was an ultimatum from a murderer,” he stated back in 2022.
Putin accused Ukraine of derailing a peace deal that had virtually been reached, which included conditions for Ukraine’s neutrality and military downsizing. “The Kiev authorities…threw it all away,” he said in 2023.
The Kremlin has repeatedly asserted that the “Istanbul Agreement” could lay the groundwork for future peace discussions. Since Moscow’s illegal annexation of several Ukrainian regions in September 2022, Russian officials have demanded recognition of what they term “territorial realities.”
Putin had previously called for Ukraine to concede four regions that remain only partially controlled. He further expressed hope that Kyiv would recognize Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, and abandon its NATO ambitions while significantly reducing its military capabilities. He also insisted that the West remove sanctions imposed on Russia post-invasion.
Conversely, Kyiv is adamant about retaining its territories and seeks strong security assurances against further Russian aggression.
Trump has actively sought diplomatic routes to end the conflict since assuming office, although he asserted that Crimea would remain with Russia and remains skeptical about Ukraine joining NATO.
Both factions are gearing up for a potential spring offensive in the conflict zone, where casualties have numbered in the tens of thousands on each side across the extensive frontline.
The War Institute, a think tank based in Washington, noted that Russia is poised to rapidly enlist new recruits to sustain its battlefield efforts.
Recently, the Russian military has exhibited steady advances in various frontline areas.
Putin noted in March that Russian forces “have gained momentum” and “hold strategic advantages along the front.” Meanwhile, Zelenskyy warned that Russia is possibly delaying negotiations to prepare for a larger assault.
Last month, Russian forces indicated that they had entirely recaptured their territory in the Kursk region, which Ukraine had taken during a surprise offensive in August 2024.
Various attempts at declaring even a partial ceasefire have proven ineffective. Russia has largely rebuffed an unconditional 30-day ceasefire request, instead declaring two short, unilateral ceasefires coinciding with recent holidays—Easter and the anniversary of World War II Victory Day. However, each side accused the other of failing to honor these pauses.
Both Moscow and Kyiv promised to maintain a 30-day suspension of energy facility attacks facilitated by the Trump administration back in March, but both parties repeatedly condemned violations of the ceasefire until its expiration.
