Istanbul: Hopes for meaningful progress in the Ukraine peace talks have dimmed, as both Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are not expected to attend the landmark summit in Istanbul. The meeting was set to mark the first direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in more than three years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier proposed holding the talks “without any preconditions.” However, his name does not appear on the Kremlin’s official delegation list. The Russian side will instead be represented by Presidential Adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin at the Ukraine peace talks.
This was swiftly followed by a statement from a US official, stating that President Trump, currently on a three-nation tour of the Middle East, will also not attend. Trump had previously indicated he was considering participation. Although Putin never officially confirmed attendance, the absence of both leaders may significantly lower expectations for a breakthrough.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had issued a public challenge to Putin ahead of the summit, “If he’s not afraid,” Zelenskiy said, urging Putin to join the discussions in person. In a video address, Zelenskiy added that, “The answers to all questions about this war, why it started, why it continues, and all these answers are in Moscow. How the war will end depends on the world.”
Trump has proposed a 30-day ceasefire to pause the conflict, now regarded as Europe’s largest land war since World War Two. Ukraine supports the ceasefire immediately. However, Putin insists talks should precede any formal pause in fighting. Frustrated with the lack of momentum, Trump warned of further pressure on Moscow. He said he was “always considering” secondary sanctions, which may include penalties on Russian oil buyers and financial institutions.
The US delegation attending the Istanbul summit includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed a meeting with Rubio ahead of the event. “We shared President Zelenskiy’s peace vision and coordinated positions during this critical week,” said Andrii Sybiha.
Russia’s delegation will feature key military and intelligence officials. Like Medinsky and Fomin who were also took part in the previous round of peace negotiations in early 2022.That last meeting took place in Istanbul in March 2022, a month after Russian forces entered Ukraine.
Moscow refers to the invasion as a special military operation aimed at removing neo-Nazi elements. Ukraine and its Western allies continue to reject this justification, calling it an unprovoked invasion and an imperial land grab.
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