Ukraine and Russia are set to hold their first direct peace talks in over three years, with discussions expected to take place in Istanbul on Thursday or Friday. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the negotiations, both countries have sent delegations to represent their positions.
Zelensky traveled to Ankara and met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan but confirmed he would not attend the talks after Putin refused to engage in face-to-face discussions. Instead, Zelensky appointed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to lead Ukraine’s delegation.
Russia’s team is headed by Vladimir Medinsky, a former culture minister and hardline aide to Putin, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, and GRU intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov. Zelensky criticized the level of Russian representation, calling it a sign that Moscow is not serious about ending the war.
The talks come amid continued hostilities, with Russia occupying approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory since its 2022 invasion. Tens of thousands have been killed, and previous diplomatic efforts have collapsed, including a 2022 round of talks hosted in Istanbul that failed after revelations of civilian atrocities in Bucha.
Ukraine is pushing for an unconditional ceasefire, supported by its Western allies, but Russia has rejected the proposal, demanding negotiations address the “root causes” of the conflict, including Ukraine’s demilitarization and ceding of occupied territories. Kyiv, while open to diplomacy, refuses to recognize Russian control over its lands.
Though expectations for a breakthrough are low, especially with Putin absent, Turkey remains hopeful. Russia’s lead negotiator said Moscow is open to “possible compromises,” though Zelensky remains skeptical about Russia’s commitment to genuine negotiations.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected in Istanbul on Friday for discussions with European diplomats, while it remains unclear if Turkish officials will actively mediate the talks.
Written By Rodney Mbua
