In a significant development regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the scheduled peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday. This news comes despite Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing a desire for Putin's participation in the discussions. Instead, the Kremlin has confirmed that the Russian delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.
President Zelensky had previously indicated his willingness to meet with Putin directly, asserting that he would make every effort to facilitate a face-to-face meeting. On the same day as the peace talks, Zelensky is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, further emphasizing his commitment to seeking a resolution to the conflict. Notably, this will mark the first time Zelensky and Putin have interacted in person since their last meeting in December 2019.
The last direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place in March 2022 in Istanbul, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, fighting has persisted, with Russian forces gradually increasing the territory they control, particularly in eastern Ukraine.
Initially, President Putin had called for direct peace talks in Istanbul without any preconditions. However, Zelensky's announcement of his planned attendance led to heightened expectations that the Russian president would also make the trip. Putin's proposal for dialogue coincided with calls from Western leaders for a 30-day ceasefire, following their meeting in Kyiv on Saturday.
Former President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the situation, suggesting he might join the meeting if Putin decides to attend. Currently in Qatar, Trump remarked that he was uncertain whether Putin would show up without his presence. He expressed a willingness to participate if it could contribute to ending the conflict, stating, "If we could end the war, I'd be thinking about that."
In addition to Trump’s potential involvement, the United States is expected to send a high-level delegation to the peace talks. The country's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, arrived in Turkey on Wednesday evening. Rubio is scheduled to meet with NATO foreign ministers and will continue to Istanbul on Friday to engage in discussions with European counterparts regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
As the international community watches closely, the stakes remain high. Zelensky's determination to pursue peace through these talks underscores the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict. With both sides showing varying degrees of interest in dialogue, the outcome of the Istanbul talks could prove pivotal in shaping the future of Ukraine and its relations with Russia.
