Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the peace negotiations with Ukraine scheduled for today in Istanbul, according to official statements from Moscow. Instead, a notably junior Russian delegation is set to represent the Kremlin in the talks, a move likely to deepen tensions and complicate prospects for progress.
The Kremlin released the list of officials expected at the Istanbul talks, which notably excludes Putin. The delegation will include presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin — figures perceived by Ukraine as insufficient representatives for serious negotiations. Vitaliy Shevchenko, reporting from Istanbul, observed that “the Ukrainians will see [this] as an insult.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had publicly challenged Putin to attend the talks in person, stating he would only meet if Putin was present. “This is his war,” Zelensky declared, “so the negotiations should be with him.” The absence of Putin suggests direct negotiations between the two leaders remain elusive, marking the first face-to-face talks since December 2019.
Meanwhile, Zelensky is holding separate high-level talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, approximately 250 miles east of Istanbul. Erdogan, who recently faced widespread domestic protests following the imprisonment of a political rival, appears to be leveraging the diplomatic spotlight to shift focus from internal unrest to international mediation.
The United States is also heavily engaged in Turkish diplomatic circles. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is attending NATO talks in Antalya, in southern Turkey, where he reiterated Washington’s desire for progress: “The US wants to be helpful and insists there is no military solution to the conflict, but there is a diplomatic one.” Rubio urged that “progress” should be seen within days and affirmed that “NATO has the opportunity to grow even stronger.”
Donald Trump, currently on a four-day Middle East visit, had hinted at attending the Istanbul talks if Putin appeared but has since confirmed he will not be present.
The peace talks, involving Ukrainian, Russian, and US delegations, are expected to commence amid cautious optimism. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Erdogan in Ankara and expressed hope for a breakthrough, saying, “It is now up to the Russians to make sure they take the next steps.” He described a “real window of opportunity for progress towards peace,” yet acknowledged the fragile nature of the situation.
The Russian delegation also includes Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, a controversial figure sanctioned by the US and the European Union for cyber operations and election interference. Kostyukov’s presence highlights the complex intersection of military, intelligence, and diplomatic efforts underpinning the negotiations.
The duration of the talks will depend on their progress, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Tass news agency. He also confirmed Putin chaired a preparatory meeting with top Russian officials on the eve of the discussions.
As the world watches, the outcome of these Istanbul talks remains uncertain. Both Kyiv and Moscow show little sign of willingness to make major concessions, leaving Turkey’s Erdogan as the apparent short-term diplomatic victor amid his nation’s recent domestic challenges.
