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Ukrainian President Zelensky challenges Putin to a face-to-face meeting in Turkey.
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Kremlin delegation likely to attend without Putin, sparking questions about sincerity.
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Trump and European allies pressure Moscow to accept a 30-day ceasefire or face sanctions.
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Talks mark the first direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine since 2022.
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Key US and NATO officials to attend, signaling international stake in peace outcome.
High-Stakes Talks Begin Without Putin
There was widespread speculation this week that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey for high-level peace talks. However, the Kremlin has not confirmed Putin’s attendance, with his name absent from the official delegate list.
Despite this, the meeting still holds historic significance, as it marks the first direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow since spring 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
From Ceasefire Demands to Direct Diplomacy
Putin first proposed the talks in response to an ultimatum by European powers—Germany, France, Poland, and the UK—who demanded a 30-day ceasefire or warned of harsher sanctions. Zelensky responded by committing to attend in person and challenged Putin to do the same.
Trump added momentum by posting online: “HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!” His endorsement shifted positions, even as European leaders initially demanded a ceasefire first.
Why Putin Might Skip the Meeting
Putin’s potential absence is seen by analysts as a strategic move to avoid legitimizing Zelensky’s government. Instead, Vladimir Medinsky, a senior Kremlin aide who led the 2022 talks, is expected to head the Russian delegation.
Kremlin officials have framed Putin’s no-show as “theatrics,” insisting that real negotiations happen at the “expert-technical level.”
Ceasefire or Another Delay?
Zelensky maintains that an unconditional ceasefire is the only acceptable outcome, while Putin’s team wants to address the so-called “root causes” of the war—NATO expansion and Ukraine’s sovereignty—both of which are off the table for Kyiv and its allies.
Analysts say the meeting could be more about optics, especially with Trump watching closely and weighing future diplomatic moves.
Background: Last Talks Collapsed After Bucha Massacre
The last direct talks between Russia and Ukraine occurred in 2022 in Turkey and Belarus. Those collapsed after Ukrainian forces liberated towns like Bucha and revealed mass atrocities committed by Russian forces.
Since then, negotiations have been replaced by battlefield stalemates, while international pressure on Russia has increased.
Who’s Attending and Why It Matters
Trump’s special envoys, Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff, will be present in Istanbul, alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is attending an informal NATO meeting.
Turkey, a NATO member with strong ties to Russia, is facilitating the talks, hoping to repeat its previous success with the now-defunct Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The possibility of a face-to-face meeting—however unlikely with Putin—has already shifted the tone of the conflict and could influence future sanctions decisions.
