Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dispatched a delegation to Istanbul for peace discussions with Russia, marking the first direct talks between the two nations since March 2022.
The discussions are set to commence on Friday, with Zelenskyy emphasizing that Kyiv’s priority is to push for an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
During a press conference in Ankara, following a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelenskyy remarked that even though Russia’s team consists of lower-level officials, he felt it was essential to send a delegation to affirm Ukraine’s commitment to resolving the conflict.
“Unfortunately, [the Russians] aren’t taking the negotiations seriously enough… After considering the situation, I’ve chosen to send our team to Istanbul,” he stated, noting that the delegation will be headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
On the same day, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkov and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are also expected to be in Istanbul, although their exact roles remain uncertain.
The meeting is scheduled to occur at Dolmabahçe Palace, a venue on the European coast where negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv were fruitless in 2022.
Interestingly, there was a bit of confusion on Thursday. Both Ukrainian and Russian delegations arrived in different cities far apart, raising doubts about their potential interaction.
Moreover, on Wednesday evening, the Kremlin disclosed that Putin would not attend the discussions, dismissing Zelenskyy’s suggestion for a face-to-face meeting about peace.
In a statement reflecting on this matter, Trump expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of talks that exclude him and the Russian president, insisting that “nothing will happen until Putin and I get together.”
Echoing Trump’s sentiment, Rubio commented that the possibility of a meeting would depend on what unfolds this week.
This raises concerns about the willingness of Trump to enforce stringent sanctions between Kyiv and its European allies if the ongoing talks fail before any meeting with Putin.
Before heading to the UAE, Trump mentioned he could still go to Turkey if “something happens.” Yet, by the end of the day, it appeared unlikely that a last-minute summit with the U.S. president was in the works.
Both Zelenskyy and Putin seem to be positioning themselves favorably towards Trump, while the latter has shown increasing impatience with the slow progress of the discussions.
Zelenskyy said: “I think it’s crucial for Ukraine to remain constructive and rational. That’s why we’re sending a delegation led by the Ministry of Defense.”
Earlier on Thursday, Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara with a close team, while the Russian delegation, led by ultra-conservative Vladimir Medinsky, arrived in Istanbul earlier in the day.
Throughout the discussions, Zelenskyy aimed to highlight the low-level composition of the Russian team as an indication to Trump that Moscow is not engaging in the talks earnestly. He mentioned that the Russian delegation lacked influential members who could make substantial decisions, accusing them of not genuinely seeking to end the conflict.
“I feel sidelined by Russia. There’s no scheduled meeting, no agenda, and no high-ranking delegation. This is quite frankly disrespectful… to Erdogan and to Trump,” he remarked, responding to questions about whether Putin was avoiding a direct meeting.
Nevertheless, there hasn’t been any clear indication that Trump accepted Zelenskyy’s appeal. U.S. leaders declined to criticize the Russian delegation during this time.
The prospect of a significant breakthrough seems dim, particularly given Putin’s choice not to send senior diplomats Yuri Ushakov or Sergei Lavrov, delegating talks instead to a lower aide.
By appointing Medinsky—who previously led failed negotiations in March 2022—to spearhead the delegation, observers suggest Putin shows little interest in genuine compromise and remains steadfast in pursuing his agenda from last year.
Medinsky has quickly arranged a press conference at the Russian Consulate in Istanbul, framing the current negotiations as a continuation of past efforts that included rigid demands such as limiting the Ukrainian military and curtailing Western support, all of which Kyiv has deemed unacceptable.
Boris Bondarev, a former senior Russian diplomat who resigned after the invasion, noted, “Putin clearly does not want any real peace negotiations unless they are entirely on his terms.”
Bondarev had suggested that although the consultations in Turkey aimed to persuade Putin to engage directly, his intention to continue military action remained clear.
With the Russian military progressing steadily on the battlefield, Putin seems confident that Russia can outlast Ukraine but is unwilling to halt hostilities without significant concessions from Kyiv and the West.
Even before Moscow and Kyiv interact in Istanbul, Zelenskyy and European allies are urging the U.S. to impose fresh sanctions if no ceasefire is reached.
“Without a ceasefire and a bilateral meeting, we are advocating for sanctions to expedite an end to the war,” Zelenskyy stated. “We seek a robust package of measures against Russia from both the U.S. and Europe. Pressure must come from all sides.”
Zelenskyy concluded: “Trump’s approach appears to focus pressure on both sides, but I feel we are bearing the brunt,” asserting that Ukraine has demonstrated its readiness to engage in negotiations in stages. “It’s essential to put pressure on those who are reluctant to end the war.”
