Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv are in Istanbul for their first direct peace talks since 2022. However, the absence of Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky raises concerns about the potential for progress in ending the ongoing war.

Tripartite meeting scheduled

Turkey has organized a tripartite meeting between Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish officials, set to take place at 12:30 PM local time (0930 GMT) at the Dolmabahce Palace. Turkish, US, and Ukrainian officials will meet beforehand.

Low expectations for peace talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Istanbul, has tempered expectations for the talks. He noted that Moscow sent a low-profile delegation, and tensions have escalated with both sides exchanging insults prior to the negotiations. Rubio stated, "We don't have high expectations of what will happen."

Trump’s comments on negotiations

US President Donald Trump echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that no significant progress would occur until he meets with Putin. "I don't believe anything's going to happen until he and I get together," he said.

Zelensky’s Skepticism

Zelensky also expressed doubt regarding the potential for breakthroughs, accusing Moscow of not taking the negotiations seriously. He highlighted that Putin's proposal for direct talks was insufficient without his attendance.

Delegation leadership

The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, an adviser known for his hardline views, while Ukraine's team is headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, a representative from Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Ongoing hostilities

As talks approached, Russia continued its military operations, with shelling reported in Kyiv and casualties in frontline areas. Zelensky characterized the Russian delegation as a "dummy" team, while Russian officials dismissed him as a "clown."

Calls for ceasefire

Zelensky emphasized that achieving a ceasefire is a priority for his delegation. After meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he stated that Russia is "not taking the real negotiations very seriously."

International reactions

Rubio is set to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Putin for "avoiding peace." Starmer is attending a European Political Community meeting in Albania, where leaders will discuss the ongoing conflict.

Stalemate in negotiations

Kyiv and its allies have requested a 30-day ceasefire before negotiations, a proposal that Moscow has rejected. Russia demands substantial territorial concessions from Ukraine, which Kyiv and the West firmly oppose. Despite these challenges, Zelensky acknowledged that some territorial recovery may only be achievable through diplomacy.