Russia-Ukraine War: With Putin out and Trump unclear, do Istanbul peace talks still hold weight?

Putin bails on Turkey peace talks, Trump hints to join

Russia President Vladimir Putin has opted out of the high-stakes summit with Ukraine in Turkey that was proposed by him on May 11. He has sent a delegation of high-ranking officials from Moscow to represent.

While US President Donald Trump has signaled to attend the peace talks, he said, "I’d go on Friday if it was appropriate" according to News18.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Thursday, after which he will decide on the next steps regarding potential peace negotiations with Russia, a senior official told AFP.

The direct talks set to take place Thursday in Istanbul mark the first such engagement since March 2022 and were initially viewed as a potential turning point in the war, which has lasted over two years.

This would have been the first in-person negotiation between the Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Turkey peace talks

For the first time since March 2022, officials from Russia and Ukraine are set to hold direct, structured talks in Istanbul. This development follows increasing international pressure and an offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume negotiations without any preconditions.

Putin made the proposal after Western allies of Ukraine — including Germany, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom — called on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire or face intensified sanctions.

Instead of agreeing to the ceasefire, Putin suggested restarting talks unconditionally.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to travel to Turkey to seek a diplomatic solution, stating, “The answers to all questions about this war – why it started, why it continues – all these answers are in Moscow. How the war will end depends on the world.”

Where are talks being held? 

The talks are set to begin around 10 a.m. local time (07:00 GMT), according to Russia’s TASS news agency. They will take place behind closed doors at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, a city that bridges Asia and Europe.

Dolmabahce Palace, located on the Bosphorus Strait, served as the primary administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from the mid-1800s until 1922.

If not Putin, then who's attending?

Instead of Putin, the Kremlin announced a delegation led by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, who previously headed the unsuccessful 2022 negotiations and is known for his alignment with Putin’s historical perspective.

The Russian delegation includes a blend of diplomatic, military, and intelligence officials:

• Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Foreign Minister overseeing relations with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
• Igor Kostyukov, head of Russian military intelligence (GRU).
• Alexander Fomin, Deputy Defence Minister and veteran of the 2022 peace talks.
• Alexander Zorin, an experienced negotiator involved in Syrian civil war efforts.
• Yelena Podobreyevskaya, Deputy Head of the Kremlin Directorate for Humanitarian Policy.
• Alexei Polishchuk, Director of the Foreign Ministry’s CIS Department.
• V. Shevtsov, Deputy Head of the Directorate for International Military Cooperation in the Defence Ministry.

Euro News confirmed that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will not attend the talks.

What leaders have to say

Donald Trump

President Donald Trump left open the possibility of attending the Russia-Ukraine negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Turkey.

In Doha, Qatar, the second stop on his Middle East tour, Trump participated in a business roundtable Thursday morning before heading to Al Udeid Air Base to speak to U.S. troops.

“You know, if something happened, I’d go on Friday,” he said in Doha.

The president is scheduled to depart from the air base to the United Arab Emirates for the final leg of his trip, which includes a state visit and dinner. He is expected to return to Washington, D.C. by midday Friday but could potentially redirect Air Force One to Turkey if needed.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Thursday that the United States is growing "impatient" with the lack of progress in peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia and is open to exploring "any mechanism" that could help bring a lasting resolution to the conflict reports AFP.

“There's a lot of work to be done. We remain committed. Like everyone else, we’re impatient — we want to see results, but it’s a difficult process. Hopefully, progress will be made soon,” Rubio said during a NATO meeting in Turkey.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy has insisted on meeting directly with Putin, refusing to negotiate with lower-level officials. Before leaving for Turkey, he stated, “Ukraine would decide on its steps for peace talks in Turkey once there was clarity on Putin’s participation.”

“Today we held several meetings with the team regarding the format in Türkiye. I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide which steps Ukraine should take. So far, the signals from them in the media are unconvincing. We also hear that President Trump is…”

Today we held several meetings with the team regarding the format in Trkiye. I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide which steps Ukraine should take. So far, the signals from them in the media are unconvincing.We also hear that President Trump is pic.twitter.com/DurxIKaMih

Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) May 14, 2025

Zelenskyy also challenged Putin publicly, saying “if he’s not afraid,” highlighting Kyiv’s readiness for peace amid Moscow’s hesitation. A Ukrainian official confirmed Zelenskyy agreed to the Istanbul talks only if Putin attended.

NATO

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed cautious optimism about the potential for peace, noting that progress depends on Russia's willingness to move forward. “If Russia engages constructively... we might see breakthroughs in the coming weeks,” he said.

The Istanbul summit signals a fragile yet pivotal moment for potential peace, hinging on Russia's willingness to engage and Zelenskyy's insistence on direct talks with Putin.