-
Vladimir Putin has been removed from his position as the head of the Russian army, according to a Kremlin order. General Oleg Salicov has replaced another prominent figure in the Russian military amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Saryukov, who is 70 years old, is now appointed as a delegate of Defense Minister Sergei Shuig. His previous role as the Secretary of the Security Council ended in 2024.
-
In another development, the Russian President dismissed the idea of peace talks in Ukraine and Türkiye. Instead, Putin sent a lower-level delegation to Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had expressed willingness to attend discussions but only under specific conditions. Putin was adamant about a meeting in Istanbul, overlooking Ukraine’s longstanding offer for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.
-
German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz stated that Putin and Russia could face new sanctions as a result. He commented on Zelensky’s trip to Istanbul despite the circumstances, calling it a significant gesture. “Putin didn’t show up, which makes him appear unfavorable. We’re preparing a new sanctions package in Brussels on Tuesday,” noted Merz.
-
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Putin of obstructing the path to peace. “Only one country initiated this conflict—Russia. It is Putin,” he stated in Albania. “Now, once again, it’s Russia, and that’s Putin, who is obstructing peace efforts.”
-
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed similar sentiments: “There was an empty chair that should have been occupied by Vladimir Putin,” he remarked, indicating Putin’s reluctance to engage in peace discussions.
-
It is anticipated that the formal negotiations, which are set to take place under Turkish oversight, will begin on Friday, but only if Putin attends. Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara, the Turkish capital, on Thursday and expressed willingness to meet with Putin if he showed up in Istanbul.
-
Late Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with the Russian delegation. “The meeting has concluded. More consultations will occur in different formats tomorrow,” a Turkish Foreign Ministry source stated, with trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey on the agenda.
-
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the situation on Thursday, expressing skepticism about the talks. “I don’t think we have high expectations for what will transpire tomorrow.” American diplomats described the current negotiations as a “logjam” that only Donald Trump might resolve.
-
Trump provided a somewhat convoluted interpretation of events. “Clearly, he wasn’t going,” he said of Putin. “He thought I’d be there. If I wasn’t going, he wouldn’t go,” he shared with reporters on Air Force One, adding, “Until he and I meet, I don’t think anything will happen, whether you like it or not.”
