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Russia and Ukraine resume peace talks after three years
On May 16 in Istanbul, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met for their first direct peace discussions in over three years, amid growing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the conflict in Europe’s deadliest war since World War II. The meeting took place at Dolmabahce Palace by the Bosphorus, marking the first face-to-face encounter since March 2022. However, hopes for a significant breakthrough were dampened when Trump stated that progress would require a personal meeting between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, a preliminary meeting between Turkish, U.S., and Ukrainian officials was scheduled for early morning, followed by talks involving Turkish, Russian, and Ukrainian delegations.
Putin had proposed these talks in Turkey but declined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s call for a direct meeting, instead sending mid-level officials. Zelenskiy criticized Putin’s absence as a sign of insincerity, while Russia accused Ukraine of staging a political show.
Russia regards the talks as a continuation of the early 2022 Istanbul negotiations, which took place when Ukraine was under heavy pressure and faced demands from Moscow to reduce its military forces significantly. Currently controlling nearly 20% of Ukraine, Russia insists on Kyiv relinquishing territory, abandoning NATO aspirations, and adopting neutrality. Ukraine rejects these conditions as surrender and seeks security guarantees from global powers, notably the U.S.
The U.S. delegation includes Michael Anton, director of policy planning at the State Department. The Russian team is led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, accompanied by deputy ministers of defense and foreign affairs and the head of military intelligence. Ukraine’s delegation is headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and includes senior intelligence and military officials.