Ukraine and Russia have made a chaotic attempt to revive peace talks in Turkey, raising questions about their future amid ongoing conflict.
Confusion Reigns at Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Turkey
Confusion Reigns at Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Turkey
Tensions escalate as Ukrainian and Russian representatives struggle to coordinate peace discussions amid diverging strategies.
In a perplexing turn of events, Ukrainian and Russian delegates convened yesterday in Turkey for the first peace negotiations in three years, only to find themselves split across different cities. President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Ankara for discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Meanwhile, a midlevel Russian delegation sent by President Vladimir Putin awaited in Istanbul. After realizing the misalignment, Zelensky announced that he would send a smaller team, led by the defense minister, to Istanbul to engage with Russian officials.
The talks, marked by uncertainty, drew further complications from remarks made by former President Donald Trump. He claimed on his flight in the Gulf region that “nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together,” further confusing the situation.
Officials from both sides indicated that while the talks might still unfold, they could be deferred until today. The underlying tension stems from the starkly contrasting positions of Kyiv and Moscow, where Zelensky demands an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, while Putin, seemingly confident in Russia's military momentum, insists on continued hostilities until his objectives are met.
The talks, marked by uncertainty, drew further complications from remarks made by former President Donald Trump. He claimed on his flight in the Gulf region that “nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together,” further confusing the situation.
Officials from both sides indicated that while the talks might still unfold, they could be deferred until today. The underlying tension stems from the starkly contrasting positions of Kyiv and Moscow, where Zelensky demands an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, while Putin, seemingly confident in Russia's military momentum, insists on continued hostilities until his objectives are met.
