Istanbul Talks Begin Amid Doubts Over Putin’s Commitment to Peace

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine resumed in Istanbul on Thursday, marking the first direct negotiations since 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attending, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is notably absent, sending a delegation led by aide Vladimir Medinsky instead. This move has raised questions about Russia’s willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about his desire to mediate, expressed skepticism about the talks’ potential success without Putin’s direct involvement. He reiterated that significant progress is unlikely until he and Putin meet face-to-face. Despite this, Trump has been actively promoting a 30-day ceasefire proposal, which has been met with mixed reactions from both sides.

The absence of key leaders at the Istanbul talks has led to concerns about the prospects for a lasting resolution to the conflict. While Turkey continues to facilitate dialogue, the effectiveness of these negotiations remains uncertain without the participation of the principal parties involved.