It's a conflict initiated by Putin, hence obliged to engage in negotiations.
In a fresh address to his nation, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky calls on Russian counterpart, Mr. Vladimir Putin, to step up and participate in the impending negotiations to terminate the ongoing Russian aggression. "This war is his, so he's the one we need to sit down and talk with," Zelensky explained in his evening broadcast. He hinted at Ukraine's concerted efforts to prepare for the dialogue in Turkey, collaborating closely with their partners.
On the other hand, Putin has pushed back against demands for a truce by suggesting the resumption of direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv, to take place in Istanbul, the same location that hosted early 2022 negotiations. Zelensky, however, remains skeptical about Russia's readiness to negotiate peace, citing their penchant for talk without action. "Russia talks big about direct negotiations, but when the time comes, they vanish," revealed Zelensky, possibly referring to the Kremlin's silence regarding Putin's potential trip to Turkey.
The Kremlin, while confirming that their delegation will be present in Istanbul, has yet to disclose the identities of the negotiators.
Recent evidence suggests that Russia has been reluctant to offer a clear commitment to negotiations geared towards ending the Ukrainian conflict. The Russian strategy, experts say, is focused more on maintaining leverage rather than sincerely seeking peace. Moreover, reports hint at a possible future encounter between Putin and U.S. leader, Donald Trump, rather than direct talks with Zelensky. This perceived maneuvering appears to be part of a broader attempt to elevate Russia's global standing, rather than swiftly ending the conflict at hand.
At present, negotiations continue, albeit without a definitive resolution, with the U.S. putting forth proposals for peace, but neither side has offered a concrete capitulation.
Political discussions surrounding war-and-conflicts in Ukraine persist, with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky expressing skepticism about Russia's readiness to negotiate peace sincerely. Meanwhile, the Kremlin's strategy seems centered on maintaining leverage in general-news negotiations, rather than swiftly resolving the ongoing conflict.
