The first direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending their ongoing war began on Friday in Istanbul, marking the first such encounter in over three years.
However, expectations remain low for a breakthrough in resolving Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Kyiv is demanding an “unconditional ceasefire” after years of fighting that have killed tens of thousands, devastated much of Ukraine, and displaced millions.
Moscow claims it wants to address the “root causes” of the war and revisit the failed 2022 negotiations, during which it issued extensive territorial and political demands to Ukraine.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan opened the session around 1:35 pm (1035 GMT) at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace, where delegates from both countries sat face to face, flanked by their respective national flags.
Outside the palace, hundreds of journalists awaited updates.
Tensions were evident before the talks, with both nations exchanging harsh words. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of lacking seriousness about peace.
Despite the skepticism, the mere occurrence of the meeting signaled progress, influenced by mounting pressure from Washington to start discussions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the meeting he had initially proposed, opting instead to send a mid-level delegation.
Zelensky criticized this move, stating that Russia wasn’t taking the discussions “seriously,” as those sent lacked decision-making authority.
Both Moscow and Washington emphasized the importance of a potential meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump to address the conflict.
“Contacts between presidents Putin and Trump are extremely important in the context of the Ukrainian settlement,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, stressing the necessity of such a meeting.
Trump, speaking Thursday, said nothing would be resolved without that presidential-level encounter.
‘Unconditional ceasefire’
“Ukraine is ready for peace and a long-term and unconditional ceasefire,” stated Zelensky’s chief aide Andriy Yermak on Friday.
“The Ukrainian delegation is in Istanbul today to achieve an unconditional ceasefire — this is our priority,” he added.
Before engaging with the Russian delegation, Ukrainian officials held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg, and the national security advisors of Britain, France, and Germany.
Rubio “discussed the importance of seeking a peaceful end to the Russia-Ukraine war”, and reaffirmed “the US position that the killing needs to stop,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.
A Ukrainian diplomat in Istanbul told AFP that their team also wanted to raise the possibility of a Putin-Zelensky meeting.
Another diplomatic source accused Russia of excluding US involvement in the negotiations — the first since early 2022.
Western officials have criticized Putin for skipping the talks and for appointing Vladimir Medinsky, a former cultural minister lacking major influence in the Kremlin, to lead the Russian side.
Rubio acknowledged that the choice of Russia’s representatives fell short of expectations and downplayed hopes for meaningful progress.
‘Points of contact’
Medinsky, who led the failed 2022 negotiations at the start of the invasion, said Thursday that Moscow views the current meeting as a “continuation” of those earlier talks — suggesting Russia’s firm demands remain unchanged.
Still, Medinsky rejected Zelensky’s criticism, stating that the delegation carried a direct mandate from Putin to “find possible solutions and points of contact.”
Russia has consistently refused to consider giving up any territory it currently occupies.
Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, has familial ties to Crimea, the region Russia annexed in 2014.
‘Avoiding peace’
The last direct Ukraine-Russia talks were in March 2022, shortly after the invasion began. Those negotiations failed, and conflict has continued, with Russia now controlling about 20% of Ukraine.
Hours before the new talks commenced, Russia resumed its military assaults, and Ukraine reported two fatalities.
European leaders condemned Putin for avoiding the Istanbul talks.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia was “clearly” not pursuing peace.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called Putin’s delegation decision a “big mistake.”
What you should know
Ukraine and Russia resumed direct peace talks in Istanbul after a three-year pause, though hopes remain slim for a ceasefire. While Kyiv demands an immediate end to hostilities, Moscow appears unwilling to compromise, especially on territorial issues.
Both the West and Ukraine criticized Russia’s decision to send a low-level delegation, viewing it as a sign of insincerity toward achieving lasting peace.
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