Peace talks held in Istanbul this week have revealed how far apart Ukraine and Russia remain on any negotiated end to the war, despite renewed diplomatic pressure from Turkey and the United States. While discussions resumed after a long hiatus, the absence of high-level figures and the vagueness of proposals signal a lack of real momentum.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the Russian delegation as unserious and politically powerless, criticising Moscow for sending envoys without authority to negotiate. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s red lines: no territorial concessions, no deal that compromises its NATO ambitions, and no ceasefire that benefits Russian military regrouping. Zelenskyy also called for stronger sanctions if Russia continues to stall.
On the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin did not attend and has made no public comment on the talks. His delegation, led by former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, has avoided specifics and rejected key points in Ukraine’s ten-step peace plan. Analysts believe Putin is using the talks to buy time while seeking an advantage on the battlefield or signs of weakening Western unity.
Meanwhile, the US position under President Trump remains ambiguous. Trump has claimed that meaningful peace can only be achieved through a personal meeting with Putin. While US diplomats attended the Istanbul meeting, military aid to Ukraine remains paused, and Trump has emphasised new economic investments, such as a rare earths deal, as an alternative support. His transactional approach has raised concerns in Kyiv and among NATO allies.
Turkey’s President Erdoğan continues to promote Ankara as a neutral mediator and has offered to host a future summit involving all parties. However, Zelenskyy has rejected any direct engagement with Russia before firm guarantees are secured from Western powers.
For now, the talks appear more symbolic than substantive. Each actor is playing for time: Ukraine to maintain Western support, Russia to delay under pressure, the US to shape the terms of its involvement, and Turkey to assert diplomatic relevance. Without major shifts, the Istanbul negotiations are unlikely to produce a breakthrough.
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