US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have suggested that they will not attend what could be the first direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in three years. Instead, the Kremlin is dispatching a group of experienced technocrats.
On Sunday, Mr. Putin proposed direct negotiations in Istanbul with Ukraine “without any preconditions.”
Later, the Kremlin confirmed that the delegation would include presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, but notably, Mr. Putin’s name was absent from the list.
Following the Kremlin’s announcement about the delegation, a US official indicated that Mr. Trump, who is currently on a three-nation tour of the Middle East, would not participate.
While Mr. Putin had never affirmed his intention to attend in person, the absence of both the Russian and US presidents diminishes expectations for significant progress in the war that Russia initiated in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenged Mr. Putin to attend the talks “if he’s not afraid,” in what appears to be a competition to demonstrate who desires peace more, Ukraine or Russia.
The Ukrainian leader supports an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
As the Ukrainian leader traveled to Turkey, a Ukrainian official mentioned that he had stated he would only participate in the talks if Mr. Putin were also present.
In his nightly video address yesterday, Mr. Zelensky remarked that Ukraine would decide its course of action regarding peace talks in Turkey once there was clarity on Mr. Putin’s attendance.
“The answers to all questions about this war—why it started and why it continues—are all in Moscow,” Mr. Zelensky said. “The resolution of this war depends on the world.”
Mr. Trump is advocating for both sides to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to temporarily halt Europe’s largest land conflict since World War Two, and a Russian politician indicated that discussions about a substantial prisoner of war exchange could also occur.
Mr. Zelensky endorses an immediate 30-day ceasefire, whereas Mr. Putin has stated that he first seeks to initiate talks where the particulars of such a ceasefire can be addressed.
More sanctions on Russia?
Mr. Trump, increasingly frustrated with both Russia and Ukraine as he attempts to drive them towards a peace agreement, noted he is “always considering” secondary sanctions against Russia if it appears to be obstructing the process.
US officials have discussed potential financial sanctions as well as possible secondary sanctions targeting buyers of Russian oil.
The US delegation to Turkey includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated he met with Mr. Rubio to convey the Ukrainian leader’s peace vision and “coordinate positions during this crucial week.”
Mr. Medinsky and Mr. Fomin, members of the Russian delegation, participated in the last round of negotiations between the two nations in the early weeks of the conflict.
Other high-ranking military and intelligence officials were also included in the delegation.
The last direct talks between negotiators from Ukraine and Russia occurred in Istanbul in March 2022, shortly after Mr. Putin deployed tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, which he refers to as a “special military operation” aimed at eliminating neo-Nazis.
Ukraine and its allies claim that the invasion was an unprovoked, imperial-style land grab.
As Russian forces continue to advance in Ukraine and currently control about one-fifth of the country, the Kremlin leader has offered few, if any, concessions thus far. In his proposal at the weekend, he indicated that the discussions in Turkey would be focused on achieving a lasting peace.
He made specific reference to the 2022 talks and the unsuccessful draft agreement.
Under that proposed deal, among other stipulations, Ukraine would have agreed to permanent neutrality in exchange for security guarantees from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States, along with other nations including Belarus, Canada, Germany, Israel, Poland, and Turkey, based on a draft seen by journalists.
However, officials in Ukraine assert that conceding to neutrality is a red line they will not cross.
