16 May 2025 – Istanbul – Delegations from Ukraine and Russia have convened in Istanbul for the first direct ceasefire negotiations in years, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage personally in the talks.
Ukraine’s Push for a Ceasefire
Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to taking all realistic steps to end the war, stating that Kyiv’s top priority is securing a 30-day ceasefire as a foundation for broader peace efforts. However, he criticized Putin’s absence, questioning whether the Russian delegation has the authority to make meaningful decisions.
“This week we had a real chance to take important steps to end this war, if only Putin had not been afraid to come to Turkey,” Zelenskyy remarked. He expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for hosting the discussions and reiterated his willingness to meet Putin directly in Ankara or Istanbul to resolve key issues.
Diplomatic Engagements and Stalled Progress
Ukraine’s delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, has already met with US Special Representative Keith Kellogg, UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell, German Foreign Policy Adviser Günter Sautter, and French President Emmanuel Macron’s top diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne.
Umerov reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace, emphasizing the constructive steps taken in recent months. He reiterated that Ukraine is prepared for full and unconditional ceasefire negotiations at the highest level.
“Peace is only possible if Russia is willing to take concrete actions, including a full ceasefire for at least 30 days and humanitarian measures, such as the return of forcibly deported Ukrainian children and prisoner exchanges based on the ‘all for all’ formula,” Umerov stated.
International Skepticism and Russia’s Position
At the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Antalya, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed low expectations for the Istanbul talks, suggesting that a breakthrough would likely require direct negotiations between Trump and Putin.
Despite doubts about the Russian delegation’s mandate, Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s presidential aide, insisted that his team has the power to make decisions. However, reports indicate that Moscow continues to reject Ukraine’s proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, instead tabling maximalist demands, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from occupied territories.
The Path Forward
The trilateral talks—Turkey-Ukraine-Russia—are being led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.
While Ukraine and its international partners continue to push for immediate de-escalation, Russia’s reluctance to commit to a ceasefire remains a significant obstacle. The next steps will depend on whether Moscow is willing to engage in meaningful negotiations or maintain its current stance.
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