Trump and Putin Skip Ukraine Peace Talks, Casting Doubt on Progress
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| U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at a press conference following NATO foreign ministers' talks in Turkey. |
The first Ukraine-Russia peace talks in three years faced a setback on Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin opted not to attend the Istanbul summit, lowering expectations for a breakthrough.
Initially proposed by Putin, the talks saw him send a lower-level delegation instead of attending himself. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who traveled to Turkey anticipating high-level discussions, criticized Russia’s “second-rate” delegation, calling it disrespectful to Turkish President Erdogan and Trump. Zelensky emphasized his goal of securing an immediate ceasefire but questioned the value of attending without Putin’s direct involvement.
Speaking from Air Force One, Trump said a face-to-face meeting with Putin was essential for progress. “Nothing will happen until Putin and I sit down,” he stated, noting the ongoing loss of life. Trump later justified his absence, citing Putin’s decision to skip the talks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio represented the U.S. in Istanbul, meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ukrainian officials. Rubio described the talks as stalled, suggesting only Trump could resolve the deadlock. He noted that decisions on a potential Trump-Putin meeting would follow Trump’s Middle East trip.
Russia defended its delegation, with Kremlin spokesperson Maria Zakharova calling them “highly qualified” experts. Led by Vladimir Medinsky, who headed Russia’s 2022 talks, the delegation is prepared to discuss international law, battlefield updates, and combat operations. Russia wants to build on the 2022 framework, but Ukraine rejects demands for neutrality, military reduction, and abandoning NATO aspirations.
Ukraine pushes for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, while Russia insists on negotiations first, wary that Ukraine could use a pause to rearm. As of Thursday, the talks’ start time remained unconfirmed, though Russia’s delegation was reportedly in Istanbul.
Russia controls roughly 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea, and claims recent gains in Donetsk. Despite the summit’s uncertainty, global calls persist for de-escalation and a lasting peace.