Chaos and Confusion Mark First Russia-Ukraine Talks in Three Years

• Putin skips Istanbul talks; Ukraine confirms participation after delay.

• Zelensky meets Erdogan, appoints Defense Minister Umerov to lead delegation.

• Trump’s possible involvement influences Ukraine’s decision to participate.

• Russia reappoints Medinsky as lead negotiator, reiterates long-held grievances.

• Uncertainty looms as both sides remain far apart on core issues.

A Turbulent Start to Long-Awaited Peace Talks

On Thursday, the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since 2022 were overshadowed by chaos, confusion, and a lack of clear commitments from key participants. Media and officials gathered in Istanbul were left speculating for hours as neither delegation confirmed details, with Russian President Vladimir Putin ultimately failing to appear.

Instead, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. After their meeting, Zelensky announced Ukraine would participate in the talks and appointed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to lead the delegation, saying the move was made “out of respect for President Trump.”

Russia Pushes Narrative, Ukraine Balances Allies

Putin’s sudden call for renewed negotiations followed Ukraine’s ceasefire-or-sanctions ultimatum from European allies. With sanctions looming, he proposed resuming talks in Istanbul, appointing former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky to lead the Russian side.

Medinsky told reporters the talks were aimed at “long-term peace,” but his reference to “root causes” of the conflict—including Ukraine’s NATO ambitions and sovereignty—reflected the vast ideological divide between the two sides. At the Russian consulate, tensions ran high, with security struggling to manage the press during Medinsky’s brief appearance.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s delay in confirming attendance raised questions. A source from Turkey’s foreign ministry told CNN there had been “no scheduled meeting yet” by midday. Zelensky’s final decision to send a delegation was reportedly influenced by Trump’s suggestion that he might attend.

Trump’s Shadow Looms Over Negotiations

While still on a Middle East tour, President Donald Trump hinted at his involvement, saying on Thursday he might attend the Istanbul talks “if something happened.” His envoys Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff are already expected in Istanbul on Friday. Trump also added during a stop in Abu Dhabi that “nothing’s gonna happen until Putin and I get together,” reinforcing speculation that his personal diplomacy could reshape the conflict’s trajectory.

A former Russian diplomat, Boris Bondarev, explained Putin’s lack of interest in meeting Zelensky. “Two great powers should sit together and decide how others live. That’s how Putin sees the world,” Bondarev said in a CNN interview.

What Lies Ahead

Although the talks are finally underway, optimism remains low. Russia and Ukraine hold irreconcilable views on fundamental issues like national sovereignty and military alliances. Still, Thursday’s developments mark a rare moment of tentative engagement—albeit under pressure from international actors and driven more by diplomacy optics than substance.

The presence of US stakeholders, especially Trump’s team, may alter the negotiation dynamics. But without top-level buy-in from Putin himself, the likelihood of significant progress remains uncertain.