Although the possibility of direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks has arisen for the first time in three years, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are not participating in them. Although the talks were supposed to take place in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday, Putin is sending a delegation instead. The delegation includes presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
On the other hand, Trump is currently on a trip to the Middle East and has decided not to participate in the talks. Although he had previously considered attending the talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously said that he would not participate in the talks without Putin. However, he left for Turkey on Wednesday night and said that he would join the talks if Putin's presence was confirmed.
Trump has proposed a 30-day ceasefire to both sides, so that the fighting can stop and there is an opportunity for talks. Zelensky also agrees to this proposal, but Putin wants to determine the terms of the ceasefire through negotiations first.
The last round of talks in Istanbul in 2022 offered a draft agreement that would guarantee security on the condition that Ukraine remain neutral. But Kiev says neutrality is still a “red line.”
Russia currently controls a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, and Putin has yet to make any significant concessions. He has nonetheless called for talks to secure a lasting peace.
While the success of the talks is in doubt, the world’s eyes are now on Istanbul.
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