Istanbul, May 16 – The Russia Ukraine peace talks are set to resume in Istanbul for the first direct negotiations since March 2022. These talks represent a critical moment in efforts to resolve the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.

Low Expectations for the peace talk Breakthrough

Despite renewed diplomatic engagement, expectations for a major breakthrough in the Russia Ukraine peace talks remain low. Former U.S. President Donald Trump further lowered hopes by claiming that no significant progress would occur without a personal meeting between him and President Vladimir Putin.

Diplomatic Engagement in Istanbul

The Russia Ukraine peace talks will take place at the historic Dolmabahce Palace overlooking the Bosphorus Strait. Turkish Foreign Ministry officials confirmed that representatives from the U.S., Turkey, and Ukraine will meet at 07:45 GMT, followed by talks involving Turkish, Russian, and Ukrainian delegations at 09:30 GMT.

President Putin proposed holding direct Russia Ukraine peace talks in Turkey but declined Ukraine’s offer for a personal meeting with President Zelenskiy. Instead, Moscow has dispatched a delegation led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, including senior officials from defense, foreign affairs, and military intelligence.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy criticized Putin’s absence, labeling the Russian delegation as “decorative” and a sign of Moscow’s lack of seriousness in the peace talks. Russian officials countered by accusing Ukraine of using the talks for political theater.

Russia views the Istanbul meeting as a continuation of earlier talks from early 2022 when Ukraine was still recovering from the initial invasion. Moscow’s demands at that time included severe military reductions from Kyiv, which Ukraine found unacceptable.

Currently, Russia controls nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory. President Putin insists Ukraine must surrender land, abandon NATO ambitions, and declare neutrality—demands Kyiv firmly rejects. Ukraine insists on strong security guarantees from global powers, particularly the United States, as a prerequisite to any agreement.

The U.S. delegation is headed by Michael Anton, State Department director of policy planning. Russia’s delegation consists of top defense and intelligence officials, while Ukraine’s team is led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and includes senior military and intelligence representatives.

As the Russia Ukraine peace talks unfold in Istanbul, the international community watches closely, hoping for at least modest progress toward ending the prolonged conflict.