As Ukraine prepares for peace talks in Istanbul, President Zelensky expresses concerns over the low-ranking Russian delegation. Meanwhile, US officials, including Marco Rubio and Donald Trump, emphasize that direct engagement between Trump and Putin is essential for achieving meaningful progress in negotiations.
Ukraine to Engage in Peace Talks Amid Calls for Trump-Putin Meeting
Ukraine to Engage in Peace Talks Amid Calls for Trump-Putin Meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirms a delegation will meet Russian officials in Istanbul, while US leaders stress the necessity of a direct Trump-Putin dialogue for breakthrough.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his country will send a delegation, headed by its defence minister, to engage in peace talks with Russian officials in Istanbul. Zelensky voiced his dissatisfaction with the “low-level” representation from Moscow, as the head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, claimed their team possessed “all necessary competencies.”
In a related development, Marco Rubio, the top US diplomat currently in Turkey for a NATO foreign ministers' meeting, stated that a significant breakthrough in negotiations would not occur until Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin directly addressed the situation. Trump, traveling in the Middle East, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that real progress requires their in-person discussions. “Nothing's going to happen until Putin and I get together," Trump remarked, adding that he would consider attending the talks in Turkey if deemed suitable.
Initially planned for Thursday, the talks faced delays, with reports indicating they might occur on Friday. This meeting is significant as it marks the first face-to-face dialogue between Ukraine and Russia since 2022. In May, President Putin had proposed direct talks in Istanbul following calls from European leaders and Ukraine for a ceasefire.
Zelensky criticized the lack of seniority in the Russian delegation, framing it as a personal slight against both Trump and Turkish President Erdogan, and reiterated his challenge to Putin for an in-person meeting. Medinsky characterized the talks as a "continuation" of previous unsuccessful negotiations, emphasizing their intent to establish long-term peace by addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Current discussions are expected to revolve around Ukraine's military stance and its aspirations for NATO membership—conditions that Ukraine has firmly rejected. Meanwhile, fighting remains ongoing, with Russia reportedly taking control of two additional villages in eastern Donetsk, now occupying roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the annexed Crimea region.
UK Defence Minister John Healey has urged Ukraine’s allies to exert pressure on Russia for renewed negotiations, following his discussions with German counterpart Boris Pistorius, advocating for further sanctions against Moscow.
