More than three years after the war in Ukraine began, today, Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to meet in Istanbul to negotiate in Turkey. These are the first direct talks between both countries since 2022. However, late last night, Putin stated that he will not attend personally, something his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, was willing to do.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, will also not attend, so the representatives for Russia will be two lower-ranking figures: presidential advisor Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
US President Donald Trump has stated that he is not surprised that Putin is not attending the peace talks and has downplayed the absence of the Russian president. "I didn't think it was possible for Putin to go if I'm not there," he said.
Zelensky Arrives in Ankara to Discuss Ukraine War with Erdogan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky landed in Ankara on Thursday, where he will be received by his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to discuss possible diplomatic solutions to the war that began over three years ago due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The summit between the two heads of state precedes the meeting that delegations from Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to start this afternoon in Istanbul, a meeting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has declined to participate in.
Ukraine-Russia Talks Delayed
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson stated that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul have been delayed to the second part of the day at Turkey's request.
Trump Downplays Putin's Absence in Turkey for Ukraine Peace Negotiations
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he was not surprised that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the long-awaited peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey this week.
Trump had pushed for Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet in Istanbul on Thursday. He played down Putin's decision not to participate in the expected talks.
"I didn't think it was possible for Putin to go if I'm not there," said Trump in a chat with journalists while participating in a roundtable with executives in Doha on the third day of his visit to the Middle East.
German Foreign Minister Warns Putin of Pushing Too Far
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is about to "push too far" by not attending the negotiations in Istanbul with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a possible ceasefire.
"I can only say in this situation that Russian President Putin must realize that he is about to push too far. The world is waiting for him to finally respond to the call to come to the negotiating table with a delegation that meets the needs of the current situation," Wadephul said upon arriving at an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers.
Trump Says He "Could Go" to Istanbul on Friday to Facilitate Negotiations
US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that despite scheduling difficulties during his Middle East tour, he could go to Istanbul on Friday to facilitate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
"If something happens, I would go on Friday if it's appropriate," said the president in Doha, expressing his desire to meet there with Russian President Vladimir Putin, even though Putin has not confirmed his attendance, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in the Turkish city.
Kremlin: Duration of Istanbul Negotiations Depends on Progress
The Kremlin announced today that the duration of the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations starting on Thursday in Istanbul will depend on progress. "Today is the start of the negotiations. Then, everything will depend on how they progress," stated the Russian Presidency spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, as reported by the official TASS news agency. The Kremlin representative responded to a question about whether the talks in the Turkish city could extend for several days.
US Secretary of State Sees No Military Solution to Ukraine War
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Thursday that there is no military solution to the war in Ukraine, and that the remedy will come through diplomatic means. He added that President Donald Trump's goal is to see an end to the conflict.
"There is no military solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This war will end not through a military solution, but through a diplomatic one. The sooner an agreement can be reached on ending the war, the fewer people will die and the less destruction there will be," Rubio said upon arriving at the informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in the Turkish city of Antalya.