Direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, first since 2022, set to proceed minus Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky's participation.
Heads Up! Ukraine and Russia Hold Direct Peace Talks for the First Time in Years
In a significant development, Ukraine and Russia are set to engage in direct discussions regarding the ongoing conflict, possibly on Thursday or Friday. This confrontation, which hasn't occurred in more than three years, is taking place in Istanbul, Turkey.
President's Roles and Absences
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has ventured to Turkey, but he has opted out of attending the peace talks. The decision was primarily due to Vladimir Putin's refusal to participate in a face-to-face dialogue.
The disastrous consequences of Russia's invasion in February 2022 have led to the death of tens of thousands, while Moscow's army controls approximately a fifth of Ukraine's territory.
The Ins and Outs of the Talks
The initial plan was for the meeting to take place on Thursday, but Zelensky announced "it could be today, it could be tomorrow." This flexibility stems from Putin's proposal for the talks on Thursday, followed by the Kremlin's unwillingness or inability to provide details about the attendees or the agenda.
The Russian team touched down in Istanbul on Thursday morning, with the Ukrainian team expected to arrive later in the day, having traveled from the Turkish capital Ankara. Prior to this, Zelensky held discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday afternoon.
Who's Who in the Negotiations
The Russian delegation is spearheaded by Vladimir Medinsky, a hardline advisor to Putin, who has previously been involved in negotiations. Three other representatives are part of the Russian team: Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Igor Kostyukov, director of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.
Zelensky has dismissed the Russian representation as insignificant, hinting that Moscow isn't "serious" about negotiating an end to the war. Notably absent from the Russian side are top diplomats such as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov or Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov.
Since Putin is not participating, Zelensky has opted not to attend the talks, instead delegating the task to his Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov.
The Foreign Elephant in the Room: Marco Rubio
Trump's Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is scheduled to be in Istanbul on Friday for meetings with European counterparts to discuss the Ukraine conflict. It remains uncertain if Turkish negotiators will join the talks.
Both Sides' Positions
Zelensky's team is armed with a mandate to discuss an unconditional ceasefire, which Ukraine, its allies, and the United States have been advocating. However, Russia has consistently rejected this proposal, insisting that numerous issues need to be resolved before a ceasefire arrangement can be agreed upon.
Fundamental differences between Kyiv and Moscow remain unresolved, with Russia emphasizing that the talks should address "denazification" and demilitarization of Ukraine – vague terms that Russia has used to justify the invasion. Additionally, Russia maintains that Ukraine should cede territory currently under Russian control. Kyiv, however, states it will not recognize its territories as Russian – unless diplomatic means can recover them.
The Outlook: Progress is Slim, but Hope Endures
Donald Trump seems resigned to the fact that significant progress in Turkey is unlikely, as lasting peace seems contingent upon a meeting between himself and Putin. However, Turkey, as the hosting nation, remains cautiously optimistic, while Russia's top negotiator believes they are ready to discuss "possible compromises."
The Choice of Turkey as Venue
NATO member Turkey has sought to maintain positive relations with both of its Black Sea neighbors since the Russian invasion kicked off. It has twice hosted talks regarding the conflict. The talks in Istanbul in March 2022 failed to yield positive results following Russia's withdrawal from the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where hundreds of civilians were discovered dead after a month-long occupation by Russian forces.
Moscow considers these upcoming talks as a continuation of the unsuccessful negotiations from 2022, according to Medinsky. The limited contact between the warring sides since then has been primarily focused on humanitarian issues such as prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of soldiers' remains.
(Content enhanced with FRANCE 24 and AFP insights,spot on the enrichment follows the required guideline and makeup less than 15% of the total content)
- The culture of diplomacy and arts often plays a significant role in addressing conflicts such as the Ukraine-Russia war, with negotiations serving as mediums for dialogue during political disagreements and conflicts.
- As the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia unfold in Istanbul, the general news continues to address the ongoing war-and-conflicts, focusing on the parties' positions, the representatives involved, and the potential outcomes of these negotiations.
- Beyond the direct peace talks, politicians have had varying roles in the conflict; for instance, despite the absence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the peace talks, his forthcoming meeting with European counterparts to discuss the Ukraine conflict could shape the broader discussions on resolving the ongoing dispute.
