President Zelensky Arrives in Istanbul for Peace Talks Despite Putin's Absence
Ukrainian and Russian delegations gathered in Turkey on Thursday for peace talks. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was present in person, Russian President Vladimir Putin was notably absent.
Speaking to the media at Ankara Airport, Zelensky remarked that the Russian delegation appeared to be merely a "decoration." He stated that Ukraine’s next steps in the negotiation process would be decided after his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The Kremlin announced that Putin’s advisor, Vladimir Medinsky, would lead the Russian delegation, accompanied by three senior officials and four lower-level "experts."
Earlier in the week, Zelensky had challenged Putin, stating that he would travel to Turkey personally and wait there for the Russian leader. However, Putin never committed to attending the talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he wasn’t surprised by Putin’s absence. Speaking at a business roundtable in Doha, Qatar, Trump said, “I knew Putin wouldn’t show up if I wasn’t going.”
Ukraine’s delegation also includes Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and the head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commented, “After three years of brutal war, we now have an opportunity. The Istanbul talks might open a new chapter.”
However, Zelensky’s advisor Mykhailo Podolyak reiterated, “Zelensky will only negotiate directly with Putin.”
Russia stated that the talks were scheduled to begin Thursday afternoon but were postponed at Turkey’s request. State news agency TASS reported that the meeting was to be held at a presidential office near the Bosphorus.
Russia Rejects Ceasefire, Proposes Direct Talks Instead
On Wednesday night, Putin held a meeting with top officials, including Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, and Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, to prepare for the talks.
Ukraine and its European allies had called on Putin to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a first step toward ending the war. However, Putin rejected this proposal and instead suggested direct negotiations.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senator Lindsey Graham in Antalya, Turkey, on Wednesday night.
Sybiha stated, “We support Trump’s mediation. Moscow must respond to our constructive steps — which it still hasn’t.”
Sybiha also held talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barraud and other European leaders. Barraud said, “If Russia does not agree to a ceasefire, there will be sweeping sanctions.”
Rubio added, “We hope that through negotiations, the war can be ended and future conflicts prevented.”
Barraud concluded, “There’s an empty chair in front of the Ukrainians — it belongs to Putin. It’s clear he does not want to join peace talks.”
