May 16, 2025 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that a delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, will attend peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, marking the first direct negotiations between the two nations since March 2022. However, Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia’s seriousness, criticizing the Kremlin for sending a “low-level” delegation headed by Vladimir Medinsky, a figure from the 2022 talks, rather than high-ranking officials or President Vladimir Putin himself.
Zelenskyy, speaking in Ankara before meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, described Russia’s delegation as “decorative” and suggested that their presence indicates Moscow’s lack of genuine interest in ending the ongoing conflict. “Russia does not feel that it needs to end the war, which means there is not enough political, economic, and other pressure on the Russian Federation,” he stated, calling for stronger international sanctions.
The talks, initially proposed by Putin, have been met with cautious optimism but low expectations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, noting that a breakthrough is unlikely given the current dynamics.
