Trump and Putin to Skip First Ukraine Peace Talks in Istanbul

Trump and Putin to Skip First Ukraine Peace Talks in Istanbul

Istanbul, May 15, 2025 – Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have indicated they will not attend Thursday’s potentially historic peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, according to Reuters. Instead of Putin, the Kremlin will send a delegation of senior technocrats and officials.

On Sunday, President Putin proposed initiating direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul “without preconditions.” However, on Wednesday night, the Kremlin clarified that the Russian delegation would be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin—Putin himself will not attend.

Following the Kremlin announcement, a U.S. official stated that President Trump, currently on a three-nation tour in the Middle East, will not attend the talks either, although he had earlier considered joining.

While Putin never explicitly committed to personal participation, the absence of both Russian and American presidents has cast doubt over the likelihood of major breakthroughs in the peace process.

Zelensky Challenges Putin’s Absence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly challenged Putin to attend the talks, saying, “If he’s not afraid”—framing the situation as a test of which side truly desires peace. Ukrainian officials said Zelensky departed for Turkey on Wednesday night but warned he would not participate in the negotiations if Putin was absent.

In his nightly video address, Zelensky said, “Our actions regarding peace talks in Turkey will depend entirely on whether Putin is present or not.”

He added, “The answers to why this war began and continues lie in Moscow. How it ends will depend on the world.”

Calls for Ceasefire and Prisoner Swap

President Trump has pushed both sides to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to help ease what is now the largest land war in Europe since World War II. A Russian lawmaker also suggested that a major prisoner exchange might be discussed.

Zelensky supports an immediate 30-day ceasefire, while Putin insists that ceasefire terms should first be discussed in negotiations.

Frustrated with both Russia and Ukraine, Trump has been pushing hard for a peace framework. He warned that if Russia obstructs the peace process, “secondary sanctions” could be imposed.

U.S. officials have mentioned the possibility of financial and secondary sanctions on countries or entities purchasing Russian oil.

U.S. and Russian Delegations

The U.S. delegation includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, senior envoy Steve Witkoff, and retired General Keith Kellogg.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Thursday morning that he met with Rubio, shared President Zelensky’s peace proposal, and coordinated joint positions “during this critical week.”

The Russian delegates Medinsky and Fomin had also participated in the last round of talks during the early days of the war. Several other Russian military and intelligence officials are expected to attend Thursday’s meeting.

The last direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were held in Istanbul in March 2022, shortly after Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.