Negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, initially halted in 2022, will commence in Turkey for the first time since that period.
Rewritten Article:
Putin's Missing from Moscow's Negotiating Squad Amidst Ongoing Ukraine Crisis
On Wednesday, the Kremlin published a list of negotiators for the ongoing Ukraine talks—but ol' Putin wasn't on it. Zelensky didn't mince words, challenging Putin to attend the negotiations in person. Guess who showed up instead? A hardcore aide with a track record of failed peace talks back in March 2022, during Russia's invasion.
So, with Putin intentionally absent and no high-ranking diplomats like Lavrov or Ushakov in sight, some might wonder if the talks are anything more than a cushy waste of time. After all, we've seen tens of thousands of casualties since Russia set foot in Ukraine back in February 2022, and now they've managed to occupy about a fifth of Ukranian territory—making it Europe's worst conflict since World War II.
But wait, there's more! According to a Ukrainian official, Zelensky's got a meeting with Erdogan lined up in Ankara later on Thursday. After that, the president's gonna weigh his options for the talks. Sounds like a solid plan from a guy who's trying to stay one step ahead of the Kremlin.
But the Russians don't seem too concerned. After all, they've named Vladimir Medinsky as their top negotiator—a Putin ally with a well-earned reputation for hardline attitudes and historical claims over Ukrainian territory. And that's not all: Medinsky led the unsuccessful talks of 2022, where Moscow demanded sweeping territorial claims and military restrictions from Ukraine. So, if Medinsky's in charge, it looks like Moscow isn't planning to make any concessions any time soon.
Of course, that doesn't mean Kyiv isn't making an effort. The Ukrainian delegation's still TBA, but you can bet they'll be pushing for a ceasefire and the return of their territories—though it's doubtful they'll recognize those territories as Russian.
As for the EU, they're not sitting around twiddling their thumbs. They've approved a new sanctions package targeting Russia's "shadow fleet." And if the Istanbul talks don't produce results? Yep, you guessed it. More sanctions.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump's been pushing for an end to the war and suggested he might attend the talks himself. But, Moscow and Kyiv's positions remain farther apart than the Black Sea. And with little indication that either side is willing to make concessions, things don't look like they'll be de-escalating anytime soon.
Enrichment Data:
- As of May 2025, the Ukraine conflict remains unresolved, with ongoing military actions and diplomatic efforts underway.
- Moscow continues to insist on its April 2022 Istanbul protocols, which would require Ukraine to surrender significant sovereignty.
- Ukraine is focused on maintaining defensive lines and demonstrating the ability to hold back Russian advances, seeking support from international partners.
- The upcoming talks in Istanbul are expected to be challenging, with little indication of substantial concessions from either side. The situation remains tense, with military actions ongoing and diplomatic efforts facing significant hurdles.
- Turkey's President Erdogan is scheduled to meet with Ukraine's Zelensky later Thursday, possibly seeking ways to navigate the ongoing Ukraine crisis with Russia.
- The international community, like the European Union, has responded to the crisis by imposing sanctions on Russia, targeting its "shadow fleet" in a new sanctions package.
- The ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, reminiscent of post-World War II Europe's severest, has claimed tens of thousands of casualties since February 2022, with Russia occupying about a fifth of Ukrainian territory.
- Amidst the Ukraine talks, Putin remains conspicuously absent, and his hardline ally, Vladimir Medinsky, leads Moscow's negotiating squad, suggesting that Moscow might not be open to making concessions.
- Ukraine's delegation for the talks has yet to be revealed, but they are likely to press for a ceasefire and the return of their occupied territories, while maintaining a firm stance against recognizing those territories as Russian.
