Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced skepticism about Russia’s commitment to meaningful peace negotiations, despite Moscow confirming it will send representatives to talks in Istanbul. Zelensky criticized Russia for failing to provide a clear agenda or submit negotiating proposals, which Kyiv sees as essential for productive dialogue. He accused Moscow of trying to ensure the next round of discussions fails, noting that Ukraine has already submitted its proposals and reiterated its willingness to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire.
Past Talks Stalled, Hopes Rise for Summit Involving Zelensky, Putin, and Trump
A previous round of talks in Istanbul resulted in a prisoner swap but no significant diplomatic progress. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Moscow has taken control of about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, annexed in 2014. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate but insisted that Russia must agree to an unconditional ceasefire to facilitate broader discussions. He emphasized Ukraine’s goal of ending the war within the year.
Zelensky Questions Russia’s Peace Intentions as Hopes Rise for Future Summit With Putin and TrumpWhile Presidents Putin and Zelensky are not expected to attend the upcoming talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed hopes of eventually hosting a high-level summit involving the two leaders, and potentially Donald Trump. Russia, however, has remained vague about its peace terms, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that ceasefire conditions would not be made public. He emphasized that a summit would only happen if tangible progress is made in initial talks.
U.S. Steps Up Diplomacy While Europe Backs Ukraine Amid Rising Battlefield Tensions
The United States has also engaged in diplomatic efforts, with former President Trump’s envoy, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, describing Russia’s NATO-related concerns as “fair.” He clarified that Ukraine’s accession to NATO was not under discussion. Trump and Putin recently held a two-hour call to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire initiative, which Trump claimed was promising. Ukraine publicly accepted a 30-day ceasefire, while Russia suggested only drafting a memorandum on potential peace, raising concerns among Ukrainian and European officials about possible stalling tactics.
Despite diplomatic overtures, military tensions remain high. Following a surge in Russian drone and missile attacks, Trump criticized Putin as “absolutely crazy” and warned of potential U.S. sanctions. Meanwhile, Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, pledged to assist Ukraine in developing long-range missiles. This drew a sharp response from the Kremlin, which warned that lifting restrictions on Ukrainian missile capabilities would mark a dangerous escalation and hinder ongoing peace efforts.