On Friday, direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia aimed at resolving their ongoing war resumed in Istanbul after more than three years, but expectations for a resolution to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II remain low.
Ukraine is demanding an “unconditional ceasefire” to halt the fighting that has resulted in significant loss of life, widespread destruction, and the displacement of millions. In contrast, Russia indicates it aims to tackle the “root causes” of the conflict and revive the unsuccessful negotiations from 2022, during which it presented extensive territorial and political demands to Ukraine.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan initiated the meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations at 1:35 pm (1035 GMT) at Dolmabahce Palace, with the delegates seated across from each other under the flags of Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine, as shown in the broadcast footage. A large group of journalists gathered outside the palace.
In the lead-up to the talks, both sides exchanged insults, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of lacking genuine intent for peace. However, the very occurrence of the meeting indicated some progress, as both nations have been under significant pressure from Washington to engage in discussions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had proposed the talks, opted not to attend, delegating the task to a lower-level representative. Zelensky condemned Russia for sending individuals without decision-making authority, questioning their commitment to the process.
Additionally, both Moscow and Washington have emphasized the importance of a possible meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that such a meeting is essential for resolving the situation.
Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, emphasized that Ukraine is in Istanbul to pursue an unconditional ceasefire, which they see as the primary objective. Prior to this meeting, Ukrainian officials also conferred with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and key security advisors from Britain, France, and Germany, stressing the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.
A Ukrainian diplomatic source reported that the delegation wishes to discuss a potential meeting between Putin and Zelensky, while another source claimed Moscow was obstructing U.S. involvement in the peace talks—the first since early 2022.
Criticism of Putin’s absence has come from Western leaders, who have noted that he sent a less influential aide, Vladimir Medinsky, instead. Rubio acknowledged that the Russian delegation’s level of representation did not meet expectations and tempered hopes for significant outcomes.
Medinsky, who led the unsuccessful 2022 talks shortly after the onset of the war, described the current discussions as a “continuation” of those previous efforts, suggesting that Russia’s demands remain unchanged. Yet, he countered Zelensky’s critiques by asserting the Russian delegation had a mandate from Putin to explore potential solutions and establish points of contact.
Russia maintains that it will not entertain discussions about relinquishing any territory currently held by its forces. The chief negotiator for Kyiv, Umerov, has connections to Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Ukraine and Russia last engaged in direct negotiations in March 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion commenced. Those discussions collapsed, leading to ongoing conflict, with Russia now occupying roughly 20% of Ukraine. In the hours leading up to the Istanbul meeting, Russia continued its attacks, resulting in at least two fatalities reported by Kyiv.
European leaders condemned Putin for missing the talks. EU diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that Russia was “clearly” not pursuing peace with Ukraine, while NATO chief Mark Rutte remarked that Putin erred by dispatching a lower-ranking delegation to Istanbul.
