On May 16, 2023, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators convened in Istanbul for their first direct peace talks in over three years, coinciding with pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end the ongoing conflict. This meeting at Dolmabahce Palace was seen as a potential step towards diplomatic progress following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022. However, expectations for a significant breakthrough were low, especially after Trump indicated no substantial progress would occur without a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite Putin’s invitation for direct talks in Turkey, he did not attend the negotiations, instead sending mid-ranking officials, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized, branding them a “decorative” presence indicative of Putin’s lack of seriousness in pursuing peace. Russia contended that Ukraine’s actions were merely a performance.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also present in Istanbul, expressed skepticism about reaching a meaningful agreement, highlighting the mild status of the negotiating teams. He hoped for an unexpected positive outcome but remained realistically cautious.
Historically, Russia considers these talks as a continuation of earlier negotiations in 2022, where terms would have heavily favored Moscow, including significant military cutbacks for Ukraine and territorial concessions. With Russian forces currently controlling substantial parts of Ukraine, Putin’s demands remain focused on territorial cessions, the renunciation of NATO ambitions, and Ukraine’s declaration of neutrality. Ukraine, however, views these conditions as unacceptable, insisting on international security guarantees, particularly from the United States. Overall, the meeting reflected ongoing tensions and the complexities of achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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