In a significant turn of events, hopes for substantive talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul diminished on Thursday. Speculation had run high that Russian President Vladimir Putin and potentially even President Trump would attend the negotiations. However, only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an appearance in Turkey, marking his first face-to-face meeting with Putin since 2019. In light of ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine, Zelenskyy accused Putin of being too afraid to meet in person.
On the eve of the talks, Putin publicly designated a group of mid-level technocrats to represent Russia in the discussions. The Kremlin's spokesperson later confirmed that Putin would not be participating in the negotiations, leaving many to question the effectiveness of the Russian delegation. Addressing reporters in Ankara, Zelenskyy criticized Putin for sending "stand-in props" rather than engaging in direct dialogue.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for clarity regarding the level of authority held by the Russian delegation. "We need to understand the level of the Russian delegation, what their mandate is, and whether they are capable of making any decisions on their own," he remarked. He further asserted that everyone is aware of who truly makes decisions in Russia, underscoring the skepticism surrounding the talks.
In response, the head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, insisted that his team was well-informed about the Kremlin's positions and had the authority to negotiate. "The goal of direct talks with the Ukrainian side is to sooner or later establish a long-term peace that takes into account the roots of the conflict," Medinsky stated outside the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. However, complications arose as Zelenskyy and most of the Ukrainian delegation remained nearly 300 miles away in Ankara.
Zelenskyy later confirmed that he would send a team led by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to Istanbul to engage with the Russian technocrats. The timeline for when discussions will commence remains unclear, especially as Zelenskyy indicated he would be heading to Albania for a meeting with European leaders.
Putin's call for direct talks came as a surprise announcement to foreign journalists at the Kremlin, seemingly countering an ultimatum from Ukraine and its Western allies demanding an immediate 30-day ceasefire by May 12 or face further sanctions. While Putin did not directly address the ceasefire proposal, he suggested that both sides gather in Istanbul, a venue that previously hosted unsuccessful negotiations in 2022.
Uncertainty looms over whether Putin ever intended to attend the talks in person. Zelenskyy committed to attending and openly challenged Putin to do the same. Although President Trump, currently in the Middle East, expressed openness to participating, he later backtracked, stating he had never made a firm commitment to attend. "I don't think Putin would go if I don't go," Trump remarked, reflecting the skepticism surrounding the negotiations.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was present in Antalya, Turkey, for a NATO summit and could potentially join the talks. Speaking to reporters, Rubio downplayed the likelihood of significant progress at the Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul, suggesting that a breakthrough would only occur with direct interaction between Trump and Putin.
Zelenskyy expressed hope that the meeting between the two delegations would lead to a ceasefire, asserting that such an agreement must be secured before any meaningful peace talks can commence. He warned that if the Kremlin continues to resist ceasefire proposals, Ukraine's Western allies should implement new sanctions against Russia. "That will be an incentive to end the war sooner or at least speed up our conversations about it," he concluded, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
This ongoing situation underscores the complexity and challenges that remain in achieving lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. NPR's Hanna Palamarenko contributed to this report from Kyiv.
