Russian and Ukrainian leaders will sit down on Monday in Istanbul for their second direct peace negotiation since 2022. Nevertheless, both parties are still far apart regarding the termination of the war, and hostilities are increasing.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Russia and Ukraine to make peace, but as yet, there is no deal. The White House indicated it would ‘walk away’ if the parties were too obstinate to negotiate an agreement.
Ukraine Confirms Participation in Peace Talk
The initial May 16 discussions yielded the biggest prisoner exchange during the war but no ceasefire or movement toward peace as both sides merely sketched out their opening positions. Having dithered over Ukraine’s presence, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will go to the talks with Russian authorities.
The Russian delegation will be headed by Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, who invoked Napoleon Bonaparte after round one, stating war and talks have to go side by side.
Recent Military Actions
On Sunday, Ukraine had a massive attack on Russian long-range bombers based in Siberia and other installations, while Russia’s air force launched 472 drones against Ukraine most in one night.
Direct negotiations were first offered by President Vladimir Putin following a demand for a ceasefire by Ukraine and European nations, which was turned down by Russia. Putin said Russia would draft a memorandum of potential terms for peace before negotiating a ceasefire. Kyiv indicated that it had not received this outline yet.
Medinsky confirmed Moscow had received Ukraine’s draft memorandum and indicated the Kremlin would reply on Monday.
Involvement of U.S.
Both sides will bring documents outlining their peace plans to Turkey, but three years of war have left them far apart, Trump envoy Keith Kellogg said. The U.S., Britain, France, and Germany are likely to attend, though the degree to which the U.S. will engage is uncertain.
The Ukrainian delegation features the deputy foreign minister and a number of military and intelligence officials, according to Zelenskiy’s executive order.
Ukraine to Present a ‘Roadmap’
Putin last June called for an instant war conclusion on the understanding that Ukraine give up any ambitions to join NATO and pull out its troops from four Russian-claimed areas.
The Ukrainian negotiators will offer a path to peace with no restrictions on their army, no acknowledgment of Russian control over occupied territory, and reparations. The existing front line will serve as the backdrop for discussion on territories.
Russia occupies almost one-fifth of Ukraine, about the state of Ohio. Putin invaded in February 2022 after eight years of fighting against Russian-backed rebels along the eastern border of Ukraine. The U.S. has over 1.2 million fatalities since.
Trump publicly denounced Putin as ‘crazy’ and denounced Zelenskiy but insisted that there could be peace. He also cautioned that if Putin waits, more sanctions will have to be imposed.
