Key Points:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a four-member delegation for peace talks set to take place Thursday in Istanbul.
- Neither Putin nor U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the negotiations directly.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains undecided on Ukraine’s next steps, calling Russia’s diplomatic signals “unconvincing.”
- Zelenskyy hinted that Trump’s potential attendance could shift the direction of talks, but no confirmation has been made.
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ISTANBUL — Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed a four-member delegation to represent Moscow in high-stakes peace negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Istanbul, effectively removing himself from direct participation in the talks.
According to TASS, the Russian delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a top Kremlin aide and seasoned political negotiator. Other delegates include Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and General Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s military intelligence service. The announcement was made late Wednesday and comes amid heightened pressure on Russia to de-escalate its military aggression in Ukraine.
U.S. officials confirmed that President Donald Trump will also not be attending the Istanbul summit in person, following speculation earlier this week that he might join to exert high-level diplomatic influence. A senior U.S. administration official, speaking after Putin’s announcement, emphasized that “no formal decision has been made about top-level U.S. participation beyond diplomatic observers.”
What Zelenskyy is Saying
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced skepticism about the utility of the upcoming talks, stating that Moscow’s current posture does not signal genuine intent toward peace. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine is closely watching who attends from Russia before finalizing its own strategy.
“I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide which steps Ukraine should take. So far, the signals from them in the media are unconvincing,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
He added that President Trump’s potential involvement—even unofficially—could become a decisive factor.
“We also hear that President Trump is considering attending the meeting in Türkiye. That could become the strongest argument,” Zelenskyy continued.
Zelenskyy thanked global leaders pushing for a ceasefire and emphasized that Russia continues to “prolong the war and the killings.”
Between the Lines
- The lack of presidential-level engagement from both Russia and the U.S. raises questions about the substantive potential of the Istanbul talks.
- Diplomatic observers suggest that the composition of the Russian team—heavy with military and intelligence figures—may indicate a focus on technical terms rather than political breakthroughs.
- Ukraine’s participation, or lack thereof, could undermine the legitimacy of the talks if no meaningful framework is established.
What’s Next
- The Istanbul talks are expected to begin Thursday morning local time, with Turkey serving as a neutral host.
- Ukrainian officials have yet to confirm their attendance, making their final decision contingent on real-time developments.
- Any breakthrough—or failure—in the Istanbul talks will have immediate ramifications on the battlefield and in broader diplomatic corridors.
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