Moscow's absence in talks could indicate a lack of pursuit for peace, according to Kyiv.
Rewritten Article:
Here's a lowdown on the upcoming face-to-face dialogue between Ukraine and Russia officials taking place in Istanbul this Thursday – the first since Russia's initial incursion in early 2022.
Zelensky has pushed for a personal appearance from Putin at these talks, which Putin himself suggested. But the Kremlin, twice now, has failed to respond to that invite.
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's right-hand man, asserted, "If Vladimir Putin decides against attending Turkey, it will be a clear indication that Russia isn't keen on ending this conflict, and isn't willing or prepared for negotiations."
Trump chimed in on Monday, encouraging both leaders to show up. In a curious twist, he also hinted at his intention to join the discussions himself. Yet, Putin's spokesman declined to explain who Russia would send instead.
Putin proposed the negotiations over the weekend – a move apparently stirred by Kyiv and European nations urging Moscow to agree to a full, unconditional ceasefire starting Monday. Since then, Russia's silence on the matter has lingered.
With over 100,000 lives lost and millions displaced since Russia's incursion in 2022, and roughly one-fifth of Ukraine currently under Russian control – including the Crimean peninsula, seized in 2014 – the war shows no signs of abating.
As for fresh backing from the West, should Putin refuse to engage, Kyiv demands "strong repercussions" from the United States and the global community, including additional sanctions against Russia and increased military aid to Ukraine.
Erdoğan, Turkey's president, has pledged his readiness to host this dialogue and urged both sides to seize "the chance to settle this conflict." Trump, too, has indicated his potential participation, but only if he "thinks things can happen."
However, Putin has emphasized that the discussions should focus on the "underlying causes" of the conflict. When Moscow refers to these roots, they typically point to perceived grievances with Ukraine and the West, placing blame on escalating tensions, Western encroachment, and the need to protect Russian speakers in Eastern Ukraine.
These allegations are regularly contested by Ukraine and the West, who see Russia's invasion as nothing more than an imperial-style land grab. Despite previous attempts at dialogue, Russian and Ukrainian officials failed to strike a deal during talks in Istanbul in March 2022.
Contact between the two sides has since been limited, primarily revolving around humanitarian issues like prisoner exchanges and the return of fallen soldiers' remains.
[1] Dmitry Medinsky, President Putin's aide and former culture minister, will lead the Russian delegation.[2] Putin himself has declined to attend the talks.[3] Information on the individual members of the Russian delegation has not yet been disclosed.
- The upcoming talks between Ukraine and Russia officials in Istanbul, initially proposed by Putin, may involve military aid discussion, as Ukraine demands "strong repercussions" from the United States and the global community, including increased military aid, should Putin refuse to engage.
- France, alongside other European nations and the United States, has been pressing Moscow to agree to a full, unconditional ceasefire in the war-and-conflicts-stricken Ukraine, with the hope of halting the continuous loss of life and displacement of millions.
- Despite Putin's suggestions for negotiations, Dmitry Medinsky, Putin's aide and former culture minister, will lead the Russian delegation in these discussions, with Putin himself declining to attend, according to his spokesman.
- The politics surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict have resulted in dramatic consequences, as one-fifth of Ukraine remains under Russian control and the unresolved issues remain contentious points in mainstream general-news discussions.
